Confidence comes from within, it can’t be faked!

Scripture Read: Titus 3:5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8 This is a trustworthy statement; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and profitable for men.  

(NET version) v.7 - And so, since we have been justified by his grace, we become heirs with the confident expectation of eternal life.”

Application:  I am interested in how close these words are in the original. The NET renders the word “hope” in NASB as “confident”. Wondering if the confidence we have is the same word for the confidence we are to speak with. If they are tied together that might be a key into the difference when people share their beliefs -those that really sense the confidence that Christ has saved them by His works - may proclaim with that same confidence that truth. If on the other hand they are insecure in what Christ has done they may also waver as they share the gospel. 

In v.7 this is the word rendered “hope” & “confident” : ἐλπίς elpís; Hope, desire of some good with expectation of obtaining it.  Spoken especially of those who experience the hope of salvation through Christ, eternal life, and blessedness (Rom. 5:2, 4, 5; 12:12; 15:4, 13, “the God of hope” means the author and source of hope, not the one who needs hope; see 1 Cor. 13:13; 2 Cor. 3:12; Eph. 2:12; 4:4; 1 Thess. 4:13; 5:8; 2 Thess. 2:16; Titus 1:2; 3:7; Heb. 3:6; 6:11; 10:23; 1 Pet. 1:3; 3:15).

In v.8 this is the word rendered “confidently” διαβεβαιόομαι diabebaióomai;  To assure firmly, affirm, make firm (1 Tim. 1:7; Titus 3:8).^[1]

Interestingly they are not connected in etymology but they clearly are connected in how they impact the individual. If a person has the real “hope” of salvation this word shows they expect to receive it. That will make a difference in how we share the gospel – not as a dream or a fairy tale that we are “crossing our fingers” for and hoping it all turns out okay, that is wishful thinking and I have seen that gospel shared. I felt as though I was listening to a salesman, trying to convince me of something he is not even convinced of himself! This hope that Paul speaks of is only hope because we have not seen it yet, but we know we possess it. Deep in the inner part of our heart we know, with that as our foundation we do speak confidently because it is what is real, not what we are merely wishing was real. How about you? When you talk about Jesus and your salvation is it real to you or are you playing the lottery and hoping the way the world hopes?

* Meditation Questions: When I talk about Jesus, does it sound to others like I am speaking to them about a friend or someone I think I know? When I think of Jesus, is it like He is there with me or just a famous person I know of? When I go to sleep at night, do I have peace that no matter what happens I am safe? What does that say?

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^[1] Zodhiates, S. (2000). The complete word study dictionary : New Testament (electronic ed.). Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers.