What does Titus 2:13 mean?

[Vic]

Tit 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

What is our 'blessed hope" referring to?

[4given]

The English word hope as translated from the Greek is “elpis” which means to possess a confident expectation. Therefore, every Christian can possess a confident expectation that the Lord will not only fulfill every single promise that he has made, but also that He will appear at the end of the age to gather his own unto himself


Someone asked me this same question not so long ago.....

Hope in this verse ( elpis) means to possess a "confident expectation" that the our Saviour will fulfill absolutely every single promise that has been made in the scriptures and that He will appear to gather his own. (depending on whether someone is pre trib or post trib they would have have their own views on when this gathering would take place).


Hbr 6:18 That by two immutable things, in which [it was] impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

Hbr 6:19 Which [hope] we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;


This Blessed Hope of mine keeps me sustained in a world that is not my home - I know that someday I will leave this world and the Lord will never condemn me as I've been delivered from the penalty of sin and will live eternally with him.

[Princess of Heaven]

amen sister

[Anddra]

I see it as a reference to the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, including the resurrection and the reign of the saints with Him in glory.

See also Romans 8:22-23; 1 Corinthians 15:51-58; Philippians 3:20-21; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 John 3:2-3 and 2 Timothy 2:10

[LindaR]

Salvation is based on one's trusting in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary plus NOTHING! As I have posted previously on this thread, I am a dispensationalist...I believe in the pre-trib rapture of the Church. For me, it is a fundamental belief...here are 5 reasons why:

1. It is a comfort in our earthly trials

Wherefore comfort one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:18)

The apostle Paul wrote this to the church at Thessalonica to "comfort" them because they were so persecuted that they thought they were already going through the Great Tribulation ... Read vs. 13-17 for the context.

2. It causes us to be busy in the Lord's work

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 15:58)

3. It causes us to live obedient lives

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. (1 John 3:1-3)

But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. (1 Thessalonians 5:4-7)

4. It causes us to separate from evil

Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. (Titus 2:13-14)

5. It causes us to avoid false teachers

Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father. And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life. These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. (1 John 2:24-28)

I am definitely NOT into date-setting. I believe the Rapture is imminent...it can happen at any time. We are to "love His appearing", not to look for "signs".

Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. (2 Timothy 4:8)

It (the Rapture) is my blessed hope!

[Vic]

That Blessed Hope to me is the hope found in Jesus Christ: the promise of forgiveness, salvation, eternal life, redemption--all because of Him. And knowing we will not taste the wrath of God because of Christ. And so we look to that time when we go to be with Him, with joy, not fear. And we look with anticipation for when we shall see Him face to face, with no fear. Because of Him. None of us know when we will die, so our hope is in Him, that when our time is come, it will continue with Him.

There are many verses which say these things to me:

Colossians 1:26-29 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: 27. To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: 28. Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: 29. Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.

If we look at the epistle of Titus, written by Paul, we see at the beginning his focus of what hope we have.

Tit 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

Titus 3:4-8 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5. Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6. Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7. That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8. This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

Romans 5:1-6 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2. By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4. And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5. And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. 6. For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

Our hope comes from the Holy Spirit, and is not because of anything we have in ourselves. It is fully about Him, dependance on Him and knowing He will complete what He started in us. Paul wrote of the desire to be with the Lord, and the difficulties of remaining in our present state.

Rom 8:20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, 21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
Romans 8:23-25 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. 24. 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? 25. But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

Rom 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.

Colossians 1:4-6 Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints, 5. For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; 6. Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth:

It's because of loving Christ that the desire is there to do His will, and to walk "worthy" of Him. We do it because He strengthens us and gives us all we need to serve HIm.

Colossians 1:9-14 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10. That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11. Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; 12. Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13. Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14. In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

He is our blessed hope, and all His promises are the icing on the cake for us.

Colossians 1:23-24 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister; 24. Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:

Colossians 1:26-28 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: 27. To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: 28. Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:

Hebrews 6:18-20 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: 19. Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; 20. Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

And finaly Peter wrote:

1 Peter 1:2-9 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. 3. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4. To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5. Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7. That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 8. Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 9. Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

1 John 3:2-3 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

[Vic]

If the 'raptue' or second coming is your blessed hope, do those who have physically died before that event takes place, lose hope or have lost hope?

Do they or can they have hope in anything else but that event?

[Anddra]

(04-29-2009 02:46 PM)Vic Wrote:  If the 'raptue' or second coming is your blessed hope, do those who have physically died before that event takes place, lose hope or have lost hope?

Do they or can they have hope in anything else but that event?

I am puzzled that you ask such a question, Vic. To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord, which is very much better.

See 2 Corinthians 5:8 and Philippians 1:23

[Vic]

(04-29-2009 02:54 PM)Anddra Wrote:  

(04-29-2009 02:46 PM)Vic Wrote:  If the 'raptue' or second coming is your blessed hope, do those who have physically died before that event takes place, lose hope or have lost hope?

Do they or can they have hope in anything else but that event?

I am puzzled that you ask such a question, Vic. To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord, which is very much better.

See 2 Corinthians 5:8 and Philippians 1:23

Hi Anddra,

If the rapture is the blessed hope, then hope is removed from those other things I listed/mentioned in my prior post. At least from what I am interpreting it is meaning. Of course I believe those verses and they merely are part of the many promises that we have and which because of Christ we have the hope/faith/belief of knowing they are true. But if the blessed hope is a specific event, I am not sure how those scriptures can be resolved.

[Anddra]

(04-29-2009 03:05 PM)Vic Wrote:  

(04-29-2009 02:54 PM)Anddra Wrote:  

(04-29-2009 02:46 PM)Vic Wrote:  If the 'raptue' or second coming is your blessed hope, do those who have physically died before that event takes place, lose hope or have lost hope?

Do they or can they have hope in anything else but that event?

I am puzzled that you ask such a question, Vic. To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord, which is very much better.

See 2 Corinthians 5:8 and Philippians 1:23

Hi Anddra,

If the rapture is the blessed hope, then hope is removed from those other things I listed/mentioned in my prior post. At least from what I am interpreting it is meaning. Of course I believe those verses and they merely are part of the many promises that we have and which because of Christ we have the hope/faith/belief of knowing they are true. But if the blessed hope is a specific event, I am not sure how those scriptures can be resolved.

Without salvation, we have no hope. The rapture is an instantaneous event. It is what comes after that I am thinking about. The greatest thing is Christ taking His rightful place.