Romans 8:24 Meaning and Explanation
“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?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Salvation is held in hope; what is already seen and possessed is no longer the object of hope.
What Does Romans 8:24 Mean?
Paul reflects on the nature of hope itself. We are saved in hope, looking toward a fulfillment not yet visible. By its very nature, hope reaches for what is unseen; once a thing is seen and possessed, it is no longer something to hope for.
This teaches us to hold our present salvation with patient expectation. Much of what God has promised is not yet in our hands; we live toward it in hope. Far from being a weakness, this hope is the posture of faith, trusting God for what He has pledged but not yet given. The redemption of our bodies and the glory to come lie ahead, and hope keeps the heart fixed on the faithful God who will surely fulfill His word.
Romans 8:24 in the Original Language
elpis (ἐλπίς), 'hope' -- confident expectation of what is promised but not yet seen.
Frequently Asked Questions About Romans 8:24
What does Romans 8:24 mean?
Salvation is held in hope; what is already seen and possessed is no longer the object of hope.