Romans 15:13
Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεὸς
the God
G2316
θεὸς
the God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
3 of 25
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πληρώσαι
fill
G4137
πληρώσαι
fill
Strong's:
G4137
Word #:
6 of 25
to make replete, i.e., (literally) to cram (a net), level up (a hollow), or (figuratively) to furnish (or imbue, diffuse, influence), satisfy, execute
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
10 of 25
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
εἰρήνης
peace
G1515
εἰρήνης
peace
Strong's:
G1515
Word #:
11 of 25
peace (literally or figuratively); by implication, prosperity
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πιστεύειν
believing
G4100
πιστεύειν
believing
Strong's:
G4100
Word #:
14 of 25
to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e., credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to ch
εἰς
that
G1519
εἰς
that
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
15 of 25
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
περισσεύειν
may abound
G4052
περισσεύειν
may abound
Strong's:
G4052
Word #:
17 of 25
to superabound (in quantity or quality), be in excess, be superfluous; also (transitively) to cause to superabound or excel
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
20 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δυνάμει
the power
G1411
δυνάμει
the power
Strong's:
G1411
Word #:
23 of 25
force (literally or figuratively); specially, miraculous power (usually by implication, a miracle itself)
Cross References
Romans 12:12Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;2 Corinthians 9:8And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:Romans 14:17For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.Romans 15:5Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:John 14:1Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.Galatians 5:22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,John 14:27Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.Isaiah 55:12For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.Hebrews 6:11And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:1 Peter 1:8Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
Historical Context
This benediction transitions from the doctrinal-ethical body of Romans (1-15:13) to the personal-practical conclusion (15:14-16:27). Paul's identification of God as 'the God of hope' was particularly apt for a church facing persecution under Nero (writing c. AD 57, Nero's persecution began AD 64, but hostility was growing). Hope was not wishful thinking but confident expectation grounded in God's faithfulness.
Questions for Reflection
- How does experiencing God as 'the God of hope' differ from pursuing hope from other sources (circumstances, people, achievements)?
- What is the relationship in your experience between believing (faith) and receiving joy and peace?
- In what areas of life do you need the Holy Spirit's power to 'abound in hope' rather than languishing in despair or anxiety?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing (Ὁ δὲ θεὸς τῆς ἐλπίδος πληρώσαι ὑμᾶς πάσης χαρᾶς καὶ εἰρήνης ἐν τῷ πιστεύειν, ho de theos tēs elpidos plērōsai hymas pasēs charas kai eirēnēs en tō pisteuein)—Paul concludes the theological section (vv. 1-13) with a benedictory prayer. God is characterized as theos tēs elpidos (the God of hope)—the source, sustainer, and object of Christian hope just mentioned (v. 12: Gentiles hope in him). Plērōsai (fill) indicates abundant, overflowing supply. Pasēs (all) modifies both joy and peace: complete, comprehensive blessing.
En tō pisteuein (in believing/in the act of faith)—joy and peace are experienced in the exercise of faith, not after it. Trust itself, while we await future consummation, brings present foretaste of eschatological blessing. That ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost (εἰς τὸ περισσεύειν ὑμᾶς ἐν τῇ ἐλπίδι ἐν δυνάμει πνεύματος ἁγίου, eis to perisseuein hymas en tē elpidi en dynamei pneumatos hagiou)—the purpose is overflowing hope, produced by the Spirit's power. Hope is the theme: God of hope (beginning) produces abounding hope (end) through Spirit-empowered faith.