Romans 8:24-25 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man sees, why does he yet hope for?… Hope is closely allied to, but is distinct from faith. By faith we believe the promises made to us by God; by hope we expect to receive the good things which God has promised: so that faith hath properly for its object the promise, and hope for its object the thing promised, and the execution of the promise. Faith regards its object as present, but hope regards it as future. Faith precedes hope, and is its foundation. We hope for life eternal, because we believe the promises which God has made respecting it; and if we believe these promises, we must expect their effect. Hope looks to eternal life as that which is future in regard to its remoteness; but in regard to its certainty, faith looks to it as a thing that is present. "Hope," says the apostle, "maketh not ashamed"; and he declares that "we rejoice in hope of the glory of God." Thus he ascribes to it the same certainty as to faith; and in the Epistle to the Hebrews he speaks of "the full assurance of hope." Faith and hope are virtues of this life, which will have no place in the life that is to come. "Now abideth faith, hope, and love." Faith and hope will cease; and in this respect love is the greatest, as love will abide for ever. (R. Haldane.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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?WEB: For we were saved in hope, but hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for that which he sees? |
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