Overview
The Bible addresses hope across 15 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Romans, Acts and Psalms. Closely related themes include Faith, Holy Spirit, Readings, Select and Resurrection.
Key Bible verses about hope
Old Testament
Psalms
For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children:
That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children:
That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments:
New Testament
Acts
But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:
And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.
And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers:
Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope's sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews. day and night: Gr. night and day
Romans
By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
Hebrews
That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:
Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;
In the Bible dictionary
Studying hope for yourself
- Begin with Psalms 78:5, then read the passages below in canonical order.
- Compare how Romans, Acts and Psalms each treat the theme.
- Widen the study to related themes: Faith, Holy Spirit, Readings, Select and Resurrection.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about hope?
The Bible addresses hope across 15 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Romans, Acts and Psalms. Closely related themes include Faith, Holy Spirit, Readings, Select and Resurrection.
How many Bible verses are about hope?
The Bible references hope in 15 verses (King James Version).
Where does the Bible first mention hope?
In canonical order, the first of these passages is Psalms 78:5: “For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children:”
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