May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse isn't just a simple wish for happiness; it connects joy and peace directly to the act of believing, showing that these experiences aren't just random blessings but the natural overflow of a faith that's actively trusting. It highlights that "abounding in hope" isn't something we can muster on our own, but rather a result of the Holy Spirit's power working within us as we believe.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul shifts from instructing the Roman believers about unity and consideration for one another to offering a final prayer for them. This blessing seeks God's power to enable them to live out the principles he's just laid out, ensuring their hope is rooted in Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
This verse calls God 'the God of hope.' What does that mean for us when our own hope feels shaky?
Paul starts with a powerful title for God: 'the God of hope.' This isn't just a nice phrase; it's a profound theological statement. It means God is not only the object of our hope, but the very source and producer of it. He is the one who inspires and sustains Christian hope. When we feel our hope wavering, we remember that it doesn't originate with us. It flows from the very character of God, who is eternally hopeful and faithful. This understanding shifts our focus from our feelings to His unfailing nature.
Paul links joy and peace directly to 'believing.' What kind of believing produces these divine qualities?
This verse doesn't just ask for joy and peace; it asks that we be filled with them in believing. This points to a faith that is active and responsive. It's not passive assent, but a deep trust that embraces God's promises and character. True spiritual joy and peace aren't found apart from this kind of believing. They are the natural, God-given outflow of a heart that trusts Him fully, especially in light of the gospel message Paul has been unfolding.
The verse culminates in abounding hope 'through the power of the Holy Spirit.' How does the Spirit accomplish this?
The ultimate goal Paul prays for is that believers might 'abound in hope.' This isn't just a little bit of hope; it's hope that overflows, that is rich and abundant. And the means by which this is achieved is crucial: 'through the power of the Holy Spirit.' The Spirit is God's divine agent, empowering us to live out our faith. He renews our minds, strengthens our resolve, and assures us of God's promises, enabling our hope to grow and flourish even in difficult circumstances. It’s a constant, powerful work of God within us.
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Understand the original words
pneuma hagion · Greek Noun phrase
The third person of the Trinity; the Spirit of God who indwells believers, empowering them for sanctification, service, and witness, and serving as the guarantee of future inheritance.
This verse beautifully echoes the sentiment of finding joy and peace, stating that God has put more joy in the heart than 'when their grain and new wine abound.' It highlights that true joy and peace come from God, not from earthly abundance.
Galatians 5:22-23This passage lists the 'fruit of the Spirit,' which includes joy, peace, and hope, directly correlating with the blessings Paul prays for in Romans 15:13. It shows these qualities are supernatural outcomes of the Spirit's work.
Philippians 1:6This verse offers a strong parallel, assuring believers that God 'who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion.' This speaks directly to the 'abounding in hope' aspect, reminding us that our hope is secure because God is its author and finisher.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18This passage encourages believers to 'rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances.' It emphasizes a continuous state of joy and thankfulness, which is a key component of the abundant hope Paul blesses the Romans with.
Titus 2:13This verse describes believers as 'waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.' It connects the 'God of hope' with the ultimate object of our hope, showing that our present joy and peace stem from this future certainty.
ellicottRomans 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."
(13) Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace. . . . hope. —Hope, joy, and peace, form a triad which represents the attitude of the Christian in looking towards the future, and so far as that future is reflected on the present. Hope may be taken as including the other two, as it is upon the certainty of the Messianic promises that they all…
jfbRomans 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."
- Now, &c.—This seems a concluding prayer, suggested by the whole preceding subject matter of the epistle.the God of hope—(See on [2267]Ro 15:5).fill you with all joy and peace in believing—the native truth of that faith which is the great theme of this epistle (compare Ga 5:22).that ye may abound in hope—"of the glory of God." (See on [2268]Ro 5:1…
The verse isn't just a simple wish for happiness; it connects joy and peace directly to the act of believing, showing that these experiences aren't just random blessings but the natural overflow of a faith that's actively trusting. It highlights that "abounding in hope" isn't something we can muster on our own, but rather a result of the Holy Spirit's power working within us as we believe.
Paul shifts from instructing the Roman believers about unity and consideration for one another to offering a final prayer for them. This blessing seeks God's power to enable them to live out the principles he's just laid out, ensuring their hope is rooted in Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Paul shifts from instructing the Roman believers about unity and consideration for one another to offering a final prayer for them. This blessing seeks God's power to enable them to live out the principles he's just laid out, ensuring their hope is rooted in Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope." — The verse isn't just a simple wish for happiness; it connects joy and peace directly to the act of believing, showing that these experiences aren't just random blessings but the natural overflow of…
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Last reviewed October 2026