Romans 5:2 - “hope” (Greek: elpiV – elpis)

• In our present day, the word hope often seems to carry the idea of a future desire in which there is some uncertainty: “I hope to do well in school this year”.

• In the scriptures, hope is something desired, yet unseen, which we look forward to with confident expectation - even when it seems (by worldly standards) that the odds are against ever receiving the thing hoped for.

– Romans 4:18-20 - Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, "So shall your offspring be.” Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead-- since he was about a hundred years old-- and that Sarah's womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God

– Romans 5:2b - And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.