• Benny Nalkara, CMI

“Hope does not disappoint us!” (Rom 5:5). This emphatic statement by St. Paul reveals hope as an essential characteristic of the Christian life. Hope is a central theme in the New Testament, particularly in the writings of St. Paul. Unlike worldly hope, which often expresses mere wishful thinking, biblical hope is a confident expectation based on God’s promises. It is deeply rooted in faith, sustained by love, and empowered by the Holy Spirit.

The Pauline letters present the “Gospel of Hope” more than any other books in the New Testament. The Greek word for hope, elpis, appears 48 times in the New Testament, with 31 occurrences in Pauline literature. Hope, along with faith and love, is one of the three theological virtues (1 Cor 13:13). It directs believers toward their ultimate destiny–eternal life with God. It strengthens perseverance in trials and fosters trust in God’s providence. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of Christian hope. Paul emphasizes that if Christ is risen, then believers, too, will share in His victory over death (1 Cor 15:19-20). In his writings, Paul speaks of hope as an essential aspect of the Christian pilgrimage. Believers hope for the glory of God, which will be fully revealed in the age to come (Rom 5:2, Col 1:27). Christian hope is tested and strengthened through suffering, producing endurance and character (Rom 5:3-5). Hope is closely linked to salvation, as believers wait for the full realization of redemption (Rom 8:24-25). It is a hope that sustains believers as they journey toward the full realization of God’s reign. The Church is a “community of hope,” living between Christ’s resurrection and His second coming (Titus 2:13). It is a pilgrimage of hope.

In the Old Testament, hope is closely linked to the character of God. In the New Testament, this concept of hope is rooted in the Old Testament tradition. In his letters, especially in the Letter to the Romans, Paul explores the foundation of Christian hope, what it means to live in hope, and the Christian expectation for the future. Christian hope involves trust in God, patient waiting, and confidence in His promises. For Paul, hope is not merely wishful thinking about the future; it is anchored in the tangible reality of God’s love poured into our hearts. This hope is directed toward the same God who fulfilled His promise to Abraham and raised Jesus from the dead. Hope is a gift from God that inspires us to place our trust in Jesus Christ, believing that He will fulfill His promises and guide us through life’s challenges toward our heavenly home.

Paul’s declaration in Romans 5:5 is a powerful affirmation that Christian hope is not a fragile or uncertain optimism but a confident assurance rooted in God’s love. This emphatic statement comes after the presentation of the saving righteousness of God revealed to the human race, who were under the wrath of God and then justified by God through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ (Rom 1-3). Paul assures us that hope in Christ will never lead to disappointment because it is founded on something unshakable–God’s own love, poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. Christian hope is based on God’s faithfulness, particularly His promises in Christ. Just as God fulfilled His covenant with Abraham, He will fulfill His promises to those who trust in Him (Rom 4:18-21). When hope is placed in God, it cannot lead to disappointment. When hope is anchored in God’s love, it is never an illusion, for His love is everlasting and upheld by His infinite power.

St. Paul proclaims that hope does not disappoint because the Holy Spirit fills every believer with the light of hope, sustaining it throughout their lives. Another reason for Paul’s confidence is that Christian hope is rooted in the love that flows from the pierced heart of Jesus on the Cross. Paul emphasizes the unique power of this hope–no force in this world, not even trials or death, can separate us from God’s love. Hope and patience are deeply intertwined, as patience nourishes and strengthens our hope.

In a world where hope is often fleeting and people experience disappointment, Paul reminds us that the hope given by God is different. It is not based on circumstances, human strength, or mere optimism but on the eternal love of God. No matter the trials we face, we can hold fast to this hope, knowing that God is faithful. Through the Holy Spirit, we experience God’s personal, active presence in our lives, sustaining us–especially in times of suffering and uncertainty. Our words and actions of hope should give our fellow-brethren the feeling that the Christians are rooted in and guided by the never “disappointing’ hope.