The Scriptural Concept Of "hope"

When the King James translation of the Scripture was written and published in 1611, it rendered the Greek term elpis as "hope." (Colossians 1:5 for instance)   The King James Version grew to become the most broadly printed English Bible translation in history.  Since the English language has changed in the 400 years since that publication, the phrase "hope" evolved to a primary meaning that's considerably different than the meaning of elpis.  When we employ the word "hope" these days we generally mean "grounds for thinking that something excellent may possibly take place."  We also have a tendency to connect the concept of chance to the phrase "hope."  For instance, we may possibly inquire, "Do you feel there's any hope for our survival?"  This inquiry suggests that survival may perhaps or may not happen.

When applied in the Scripture the Greek term elpis has the connotation of "expectation" or perhaps "reliance."  In fact, the word is generally employed to express the belief in something that, though not observed, is real. (Hebrews 11:1)  In other contexts it designates occasions that have not happened but which are confidently anticipated.

These variations in interpretation can lead contemporary Bible readers to feel that the Greek scripture authors possessed less than full confidence in the destiny which they longed for.  In fact, whenever they used the phrase elpis they were revealing the complete expectation of their occurrence.

It's not my intent to construct a substantiation of this theory here.  In reality, it is by no means original with me.  A quick net investigation of the words "Christian hope" will discover hundreds of articles or blog posts and sermons that reinforce it.  My objective is to provide a footing for a Christian diallogue about hope and expectations that distinguishes the normal current linguistic comprehension of these words from the Biblical usage.  I think that this footing is critical due to the fact that our present-day culture considers very few ideas as resolved, or confirmed.  The modern usage of the word "hope" has a tendency to take on this perspective.  If we "hope" anything we would like it to be correct, or to happen, but we do not view it as definite.

Natural science underpins the concept of an unsettled universe, too.  It talks in terms of possibility, chaos, entropy and uncertainty when describing the patterns of the world and cultural structures.  Ethics follows with "relativism," and "situation morality."  I'm convinced that it is exactly at this place that we make an illogical leap.  Natural science is appropriately explained in the phrases pointed out previously, however, ethics and morality are not.  Regrettably, we are so engrossed in relativism that the notion that scientific knowledge is relative even though morals are not seems totally in reverse to many of us.

"Political correctness" performs the part of deceiver in our modern society, at the same time.  We are advised that we need to value all values and life choices, as if they are all equally worthwhile, or accurate, or correct.  That is ridiculous because:  1) It is not true and, 2) No logical person really believes it.  It cannot be respectful to say to someone that you believe that they are correct when you believe that they're misguided.

So, that is your introduction to the Biblical notion of hope. I hope you have been a small bit provoked to discuss more concerning hopes and expectations.

By: Robert McCluskey

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

For more information about this topic click on our links below!

Homebased businesses
Internet Resources for Senior Citizens and Those Who Care About Them