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.

ROMANS 15:13KJV
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Romans 15:13 (KJV)

What does Romans 15:13 mean?

Romans 15:13 is Paul’s prayer that God will fill his readers with joy and peace as they believe, so that their hope will overflow. Paul presents hope as something God supplies, with the Holy Ghost providing the power for that abundance.

The word “abound” pictures hope as plentiful rather than scarce. Coming after the mention of Gentiles, or non-Jews, hoping in verse 12, Paul’s prayer brings that hope close to the people hearing his letter.

The Greek behind Romans 15:13

  • “hope” — ἐλπίς (elpis): This word can mean expectation or hope. Here, after verse 12 speaks of Gentiles hoping in the one who will come, the word points toward an expectation centered on him.
  • “believing” — πιστεύω (pisteuō): This word carries the sense of believing or trusting. The phrase “in believing” connects the joy and peace Paul asks for with his readers’ trust.
  • “abound” — περισσεύω (perisseuō): This word can mean to have more than enough or to overflow. It gives Paul’s request a sense of plentiful supply, not merely having some hope.

Why Romans 15:13 matters

  • Paul’s prayer joins joy and peace to hope. The verse asks for joy and peace first, then gives their purpose: “that ye may abound in hope.”
  • The verse names the Holy Ghost as the source of power for that abundance. “Ghost” is an older English word for “Spirit,” so “Holy Ghost” means the Holy Spirit.
  • Hope in this passage reaches beyond one people. Verse 12 names Gentiles, and Paul’s prayer in verse 13 follows that promise with a request for his readers.

Where else these words appear

“abound” Greek G4052 · used in 35 verses

  • Matthew 5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
  • John 6:13 Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.
  • 2 Corinthians 8:7 Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.

“hope” Greek G1680 · used in 48 verses

  • Acts 2:26 Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:
  • Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
  • 1 Thessalonians 4:13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

“joy” Greek G5479 · used in 57 verses

  • Matthew 2:10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
  • John 16:21 A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.
  • Philippians 2:2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

“peace” Greek G1515 · used in 86 verses

  • Matthew 10:13 And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.
  • Romans 1:7 To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
  • Philippians 4:9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.