The Greek verb elpizo means to hope, to place confidence in, or to have an expectation of good. It is the verbal form of elpis (G1680, hope) and describes the active, forward-looking trust that characterizes Christian hope.
Biblical hope (elpizo) is not wishful thinking but confident expectation grounded in God's promises. Paul uses it to describe hope in the resurrection, in God's character, and in future glory. In 1 Corinthians 15:19, he warns that if our hope is only for this life, we are to be pitied — pointing to the resurrection as the ground of all hope.
Theologically, elpizo is one of the three great virtues alongside faith and love (1 Corinthians 13:13). Christian hope is not optimism but eschatological confidence — trust in what God has promised even when unseen.