Hopefully
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The term "hopefully" is often used in modern language to express a sense of expectation or desire for a particular outcome. While the word itself does not appear in the Bible, the concept of hope is deeply embedded in the biblical narrative and theology. In Scripture, hope is not merely wishful thinking but a confident expectation rooted in faith and the promises of God.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, hope is frequently associated with waiting on the Lord and trusting in His deliverance. The Hebrew word often translated as "hope" is "yachal," which conveys a sense of waiting or enduring patiently. For example, in Psalm 130:5, the psalmist declares, "I wait for the LORD; my soul does wait, and in His word I put my hope" . This verse illustrates the intertwining of hope with faith in God's word and timing.

The prophets also spoke of hope in the context of God's future plans for His people. Jeremiah 29:11 is a well-known verse where God assures the exiles in Babylon, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope" . Here, hope is linked to God's covenant faithfulness and His ultimate plan for redemption and restoration.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, hope takes on a more defined shape through the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Greek word "elpis" is used to describe this hope, which is both present and future-oriented. The Apostle Paul frequently writes about hope as an essential aspect of the Christian life. In Romans 5:2-5, Paul explains, "And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us" . This passage highlights the transformative power of hope, which is sustained by the Holy Spirit and rooted in God's love.

Hope is also closely tied to the resurrection of Jesus and the promise of eternal life. In 1 Peter 1:3, the apostle writes, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead" . This "living hope" is dynamic and active, offering believers assurance of their future inheritance in Christ.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, hope is a virtue that reflects a believer's trust in God's promises and His sovereign plan. It is both a gift from God and a response to His revelation. Hope is not passive but calls for active engagement in faith and obedience. It sustains believers through trials and challenges, providing a forward-looking perspective that transcends present circumstances.

The biblical concept of hope also emphasizes the communal aspect of the Christian faith. Believers are encouraged to "spur one another on toward love and good deeds" (Hebrews 10:24) and to "encourage one another with these words" (1 Thessalonians 4:18), particularly in the context of the hope of Christ's return.

Practical Application

In practical terms, Christians are called to live hopefully, reflecting the hope they have in Christ in their daily lives. This involves trusting in God's promises, remaining steadfast in trials, and sharing the hope of the gospel with others. As Paul writes in Romans 15:13, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit" . This verse encapsulates the essence of biblical hope—an overflowing confidence in God's goodness and faithfulness, empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Strong's Hebrew
6960a. qavah -- to wait for
... root Definition to wait for NASB Word Usage eagerly waits (1), expect (1), expected
(3), hope (3), hoped (1), hopefully wait (1), hoping (1), look (1), look ...
/hebrew/6960a.htm - 5k
Library

To Win Souls Requires Wisdom.
... In a little time they were all, I believe, every one, hopefully converted. ... She followed
up the impression made, and pretty soon he was hopefully converted. ...
/.../finney/lectures on revivals of religion/lecture x to win souls.htm

Public Use of the Version.
... Thus far I hope I have made it plain that any forward steps that may be taken can
only hopefully be taken when, both in the case of pastor and people, due ...
/.../addresses on the revised version of holy scripture/address v public use of.htm

The Nicene Creed
... They struggle to quantify complex and confusing ideas in clear, undeniable terminology.
Hopefully the reader will find this to be a valuable resource. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/various/the nicene creed /title page.htm

The Apostles' Creed
... They struggle to quantify complex and confusing ideas in clear, undeniable terminology.
Hopefully the reader will find this to be a valuable resource. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/various/the apostles creed /title page.htm

The Athanasian Creed
... They struggle to quantify complex and confusing ideas in clear, undeniable terminology.
Hopefully the reader will find this to be a valuable resource. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/various/the athanasian creed /title page.htm

The Soul of Prayer
... vanishing into busy Craven, and all the time to think greatly of God and kindly
of men -- faithfully of the past, lovingly of the present, and hopefully of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/forsyth/the soul of prayer/title page.htm

Footnites
... of that time were often as fit for sacred as profane use; and if I had to find a
worthy melody for a good new hymn, I should seek more hopefully among them ...
/.../bridges/a practical discourse on some principles of hymn-singing/footnites.htm

The Belgic Confession
... They struggle to quantify complex and confusing ideas in clear, undeniable terminology.
Hopefully the reader will find this to be a valuable resource. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/various/the belgic confession /title page.htm

Vocation
... He figured hopefully that, as the Cardinal was the Pope's representative, he could
easily impose his will on the Jesuit Provincial; and of course he would do ...
/.../greater things the story of saint stanislaus kostka /chapter ix vocation.htm

The Living Word
... Most if not all of these groups admired Grundtvig for his bold defiance of Biblical
Christianity and looked hopefully to him for encouragement. ...
/.../aaberg/hymns and hymnwriters of denmark/chapter thirteen the living word.htm

Thesaurus
Hopefully (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Hopefully (2 Occurrences). Romans 4:18 Under utterly
hopeless circumstances he hopefully believed, so that ...
/h/hopefully.htm - 7k

Hopeless (4 Occurrences)
... Romans 4:18 Under utterly hopeless circumstances he hopefully believed, so that
he might become the forefather of many nations, in agreement with the words ...
/h/hopeless.htm - 7k

Numerous (88 Occurrences)
... Romans 4:18 Under utterly hopeless circumstances he hopefully believed, so that
he might become the forefather of many nations, in agreement with the words ...
/n/numerous.htm - 33k

Utterly (170 Occurrences)
... Romans 4:18 Under utterly hopeless circumstances he hopefully believed, so that
he might become the forefather of many nations, in agreement with the words ...
/u/utterly.htm - 39k

Forefather (33 Occurrences)
... Romans 4:18 Under utterly hopeless circumstances he hopefully believed, so that
he might become the forefather of many nations, in agreement with the words ...
/f/forefather.htm - 17k

Equally (21 Occurrences)
... Romans 4:18 Under utterly hopeless circumstances he hopefully believed, so that
he might become the forefather of many nations, in agreement with the words ...
/e/equally.htm - 12k

Megiddon (1 Occurrence)
... stream with "the waters of Megiddo." Pharaoh-necoh would naturally take the same
line of march, and his advance could be nowhere more hopefully opposed than at ...
/m/megiddon.htm - 10k

Megiddo (13 Occurrences)
... stream with "the waters of Megiddo." Pharaoh-necoh would naturally take the same
line of march, and his advance could be nowhere more hopefully opposed than at ...
/m/megiddo.htm - 16k

Posterity (38 Occurrences)
... Romans 4:18 Under utterly hopeless circumstances he hopefully believed, so that
he might become the forefather of many nations, in agreement with the words ...
/p/posterity.htm - 17k

Circumstances (19 Occurrences)
... Romans 4:18 Under utterly hopeless circumstances he hopefully believed, so that
he might become the forefather of many nations, in agreement with the words ...
/c/circumstances.htm - 12k

Resources
Should a church be seeker sensitive? | GotQuestions.org

What should a believer do if his or her spouse chooses to live a transgender lifestyle? | GotQuestions.org

What is nominalism? What is a nominalist? | GotQuestions.org

Hopefully: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Hopefully (2 Occurrences)

Romans 4:18
Under utterly hopeless circumstances he hopefully believed, so that he might become the forefather of many nations, in agreement with the words "Equally numerous shall your posterity be."
(WEY)

Isaiah 49:23
And kings will take care of you, and queens will give you their milk: they will go down on their faces before you, kissing the dust of your feet; and you will be certain that I am the Lord, and that those who put their hope in me will not be shamed.
(See NAS)

Subtopics

Hopefully

Related Terms

Hopefully (2 Occurrences)

Hopes (24 Occurrences)

Zephaniah (11 Occurrences)

Numerous (88 Occurrences)

Utterly (170 Occurrences)

Jabin (8 Occurrences)

Juniper (7 Occurrences)

Jeshimon (6 Occurrences)

Forlorn (3 Occurrences)

Forefather (33 Occurrences)

Tears (58 Occurrences)

Ransom (46 Occurrences)

Equally (21 Occurrences)

Desperate (8 Occurrences)

Despairing (7 Occurrences)

Posterity (38 Occurrences)

Corner (60 Occurrences)

Circumstances (19 Occurrences)

Abject (1 Occurrence)

Hadadezer (18 Occurrences)

Buying (12 Occurrences)

Atheism

Mount (311 Occurrences)

Agreement (341 Occurrences)

Congregation (347 Occurrences)

Face (780 Occurrences)

Aaron (343 Occurrences)

Psychology

Creation (35 Occurrences)

Empire (8 Occurrences)

Borrowing (1 Occurrence)

Jude (4 Occurrences)

Judaeus

Philo

Wanderings (7 Occurrences)

Testaments

Isaiah (64 Occurrences)

Between (2624 Occurrences)

Saul (371 Occurrences)

Roman (26 Occurrences)

Religion (23 Occurrences)

Babylonia (17 Occurrences)

Assyria (124 Occurrences)

Christianity

Gospel (108 Occurrences)

Resurrection (42 Occurrences)

John (154 Occurrences)

Israel (27466 Occurrences)

Jesus (10891 Occurrences)

Epistle (13 Occurrences)

Hopeful Expectation
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