Hope vs. Faith — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 18, 2024
Hope is a feeling of expectation and desire for a particular thing to happen, often future-oriented, while faith generally refers to a strong belief in the doctrines of a religion or trust in someone or something.
Difference Between Hope and Faith
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Hope is an optimistic state of mind that is based on the expectation of positive outcomes with respect to events and circumstances in one's life. In contrast, faith usually involves a deeper conviction that is not based solely on evidence but often includes spiritual, religious, or emotional belief systems.
While hope is commonly directed towards a specific outcome or event, faith tends to be more encompassing, often related to ideological beliefs or trust in a higher power. This means hope can be seen in both secular and spiritual contexts, whereas faith is frequently connected to religious doctrines or a profound sense of trust, regardless of the situation.
Hope often provides motivation and a reason to keep persevering through difficult times, focusing on potential positive outcomes. On the other hand, faith offers comfort and a steadying influence, providing a foundation of support and belief that can help individuals endure challenges.
In terms of emotional impact, hope can fluctuate based on circumstances, growing stronger or weaker as situations change. Faith, however, is typically more constant, providing a persistent source of comfort and security that does not wane with changing external conditions.
While hope might diminish if the desired outcomes seem less likely, faith remains resilient even when evidence or situations suggest otherwise. This resilience is because faith is often rooted in unshakable beliefs or commitments to particular values or spiritual truths.
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Comparison Chart
Basis
Expectation of positive outcomes
Strong belief often without evidence
Context
Both secular and spiritual
Primarily religious or deep personal trust
Function
Motivates perseverance
Provides comfort and stability
Fluctuation
Can change with circumstances
Generally constant
Emotional Impact
Provides optimism
Offers enduring support and reassurance
Compare with Definitions
Hope
Grounds for believing that something good may happen.
He felt a flicker of hope when he saw the rescue team.
Faith
Strong belief in God or in the doctrines of a religion.
Her faith was an important part of her life.
Hope
Optimistic attitude towards events and outcomes.
Her hope kept the entire team motivated.
Faith
A system of religious belief.
He converted to a different faith.
Hope
A feeling of expectation and desire for a specific thing to happen.
She clung to the hope that things would improve soon.
Faith
Firm belief in something for which there is no proof.
Holding onto faith, they continued despite the odds.
Hope
To want something to happen or be the case.
We hope for our family's safety during these storms.
Faith
Loyalty or fidelity to a person, promise, engagement.
He acted in good faith to resolve the conflicts.
Hope
A person or thing that may help or save someone.
The new investment is the company’s only hope for recovery.
Faith
Faith, derived from Latin fides and Old French feid, is confidence or trust in a person, thing, or concept. In the context of religion, one can define faith as "belief in a god or in the doctrines or teachings of religion".
Hope
Hope is an optimistic state of mind that is based on an expectation of positive outcomes with respect to events and circumstances in one's life or the world at large. As a verb, its definitions include: "expect with confidence" and "to cherish a desire with anticipation."Among its opposites are dejection, hopelessness, and despair.
Faith
Belief in God or in a set of religious doctrines.
Hope
To wish for a particular event that one considers possible
We are hoping for more financial support.
Faith
A set of religious doctrines; a body of dogma
Adhered to the Muslim faith.
Hope
(Archaic) To have confidence; trust.
Faith
Often Faith(Christianity)Secure belief in God and a trusting acceptance of God's will viewed as a theological virtue.
Hope
To desire and consider possible
I hope that you will join us for dinner. We hope to buy a house in the spring.
Faith
Confident or unquestioning belief in the truth, value, or trustworthiness of a person, idea, or thing.
Hope
The longing or desire for something accompanied by the belief in the possibility of its occurrence
He took singing lessons in the hope of performing in the musical.
Faith
Loyalty to a person or thing; allegiance
Keeping faith with one's supporters.
Refused to break faith with his friends.
Hope
An instance of such longing or desire
Her hopes of becoming a doctor have not changed.
Faith
A trust or confidence in the intentions or abilities of a person, object, or ideal from prior empirical evidence.
The faithfulness of Old Faithful gives us faith in it.
I have faith in the goodness of my fellow man.
You need to have faith in yourself, that you can overcome your shortcomings and become a good person.
Hope
A source of or reason for such longing or desire
Good pitching is the team's only hope for victory.
Faith
A conviction about abstractions, ideas, or beliefs, without empirical evidence, experience, or observation.
I have faith that my prayers will be answered.
I have faith in the healing power of crystals.
Hope
Often Hope(Christianity) The theological virtue defined as the desire and search for a future good, difficult but not impossible to attain with God's help.
Faith
A religious or spiritual belief system.
The Christian faith.
We seek justice for the Indo-European Folk Faith; what's wrong in our literature for that?
Hope
(Archaic) Trust; confidence.
Faith
An obligation of loyalty or fidelity and the observance of such an obligation.
He acted in good faith to restore broken diplomatic ties after defeating the incumbent.
Hope
To want something to happen, with a sense of expectation that it might.
I hope everyone enjoyed the meal.
I am still hoping that all will turn out well.
Faith
(obsolete) Credibility or truth.
Hope
To be optimistic; be full of hope; have hopes.
Faith
(archaic) really, truly
Hope
(intransitive) To place confidence; to trust with confident expectation of good; usually followed by in.
Faith
Belief; the assent of the mind to the truth of what is declared by another, resting solely and implicitly on his authority and veracity; reliance on testimony.
Hope
To wish.
Faith
The assent of the mind to the statement or proposition of another, on the ground of the manifest truth of what he utters; firm and earnest belief, on probable evidence of any kind, especially in regard to important moral truth.
Faith, that is, fidelity, - the fealty of the finite will and understanding to the reason.
Hope
The feeling of trust, confidence, belief or expectation that something wished for can or will happen.
I still have some hope that I can get to work on time.
After losing my job, there's no hope of being able to afford my world cruise.
There is still hope that we can find our missing cat.
Faith
The belief in the historic truthfulness of the Scripture narrative, and the supernatural origin of its teachings, sometimes called historical and speculative faith.
Without faith it is impossible to please him [God].
The faith of the gospel is that emotion of the mind which is called "trust" or "confidence" exercised toward the moral character of God, and particularly of the Savior.
Faith is an affectionate, practical confidence in the testimony of God.
Hope
(countable) The actual thing wished for.
Faith
That which is believed on any subject, whether in science, politics, or religion; especially (Theol.), a system of religious belief of any kind; as, the Jewish or Mohammedan faith; the Christian faith; also, the creed or belief of a Christian society or church.
Which to believe of her,Must be a faith that reason without miracleCould never plant in me.
Now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed.
Hope
(countable) A person or thing that is a source of hope.
We still have one hope left: my roommate might see the note I left on the table.
Faith
Fidelity to one's promises, or allegiance to duty, or to a person honored and beloved; loyalty.
Children in whom is no faith.
Whose failing, while her faith to me remains,I should conceal.
Hope
The virtuous desire for future good.
Faith
Word or honor pledged; promise given; fidelity; as, he violated his faith.
For you aloneI broke me faith with injured Palamon.
Hope
A hollow; a valley, especially the upper end of a narrow mountain valley when it is nearly encircled by smooth, green slopes; a combe.
Faith
Credibility or truth.
The faith of the foregoing narrative.
Hope
A sloping plain between mountain ridges.
Faith
By my faith; in truth; verily.
Hope
(Scotland) A small bay; an inlet; a haven.
Faith
A strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny;
He lost his faith but not his morality
Hope
A sloping plain between mountain ridges.
Faith
Complete confidence in a person or plan etc;
He cherished the faith of a good woman
The doctor-patient relationship is based on trust
Hope
A small bay; an inlet; a haven.
Faith
Institution to express belief in a divine power;
He was raised in the Baptist religion
A member of his own faith contradicted him
Hope
A desire of some good, accompanied with an expectation of obtaining it, or a belief that it is obtainable; an expectation of something which is thought to be desirable; confidence; pleasing expectancy.
The hypocrite's hope shall perish.
He wished, but not with hope.
New thoughts of God, new hopes of Heaven.
Faith
Loyalty or allegiance to a cause or a person;
Keep the faith
They broke faith with their investors
Hope
One who, or that which, gives hope, furnishes ground of expectation, or promises desired good.
The Lord will be the hope of his people.
A young gentleman of great hopes, whose love of learning was highly commendable.
Faith
Complete trust or confidence in someone or something.
His faith in her judgment was unwavering.
Hope
That which is hoped for; an object of hope.
Lavina is thine elder brother's hope.
Hope
To entertain or indulge hope; to cherish a desire of good, or of something welcome, with expectation of obtaining it or belief that it is obtainable; to expect; - usually followed by for.
But I will hope continually.
Hope
To place confidence; to trust with confident expectation of good; - usually followed by in.
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God.
Hope
To desire with expectation or with belief in the possibility or prospect of obtaining; to look forward to as a thing desirable, with the expectation of obtaining it; to cherish hopes of.
We hope no other from your majesty.
[Charity] hopeth all things.
Hope
To expect; to fear.
Hope
A specific instance of feeling hopeful;
It revived their hope of winning the pennant
Hope
The general feeling that some desire will be fulfilled;
In spite of his troubles he never gave up hope
Hope
Grounds for feeling hopeful about the future;
There is little or no promise that he will recover
Hope
Someone (or something) on which expectations are centered;
He was their best hope for a victory
Hope
United States comedian (born in England) who appeared in films with Bing Crosby (born in 1903)
Hope
One of the three Christian virtues
Hope
Expect and wish;
I trust you will behave better from now on
I hope she understands that she cannot expect a raise
Hope
Be optimistic; be full of hope; have hopes;
I am still hoping that all will turn out well
Hope
Intend with some possibility of fulfilment;
I hope to have finished this work by tomorrow evening
Common Curiosities
How does faith influence behavior?
Faith can profoundly influence behavior by guiding moral choices, providing comfort, and motivating actions based on religious or ethical beliefs.
Can someone have faith without hope?
Yes, one can have faith — a trust in higher principles or in a person — without necessarily feeling hopeful about specific outcomes.
Is hope always positive?
While hope is generally viewed positively, unrealistic hope can sometimes prevent individuals from making practical decisions.
Can hope change over time?
Yes, hope can fluctuate depending on new information, experiences, or changes in circumstances.
Are there psychological benefits to having hope and faith?
Both hope and faith are linked to numerous psychological benefits, including reduced stress, better mental health, and increased life satisfaction.
How do hope and faith affect mental resilience?
Hope can boost resilience by fostering an adaptive approach to challenges, while faith can provide a resilient framework that endures despite external fluctuations.
What is the main difference between hope and faith?
Hope is the expectation of a favorable outcome, while faith is a deep belief often rooted in religious conviction or trust that does not require evidence.
What is a practical example of hope influencing action?
A student hoping to pass a tough exam might study harder, reflecting hope's motivational role.
What roles do hope and faith play in overcoming challenges?
Hope provides motivation to continue striving towards goals despite obstacles, while faith offers a steadying belief that can make enduring hardships easier.
How do cultural differences affect perceptions of hope and faith?
Cultural backgrounds can shape how individuals perceive and prioritize hope and faith, influencing their expressions and the roles they play in social and individual life.
Is hope necessary for success?
While not strictly necessary, hope can significantly enhance the pursuit and achievement of success by maintaining motivation and optimism.
Can faith be damaging?
Unquestioning faith can sometimes lead to intolerance or harmful behaviors if not balanced with reason and open-mindedness.
How do hope and faith interact in a person's life?
Hope and faith can interact synergistically; faith can strengthen hope by providing a broader context for trust and optimism, while hope can make faith more vibrant and immediate.
Does having faith imply religiosity?
While faith often involves religious beliefs, it can also refer to a secular sense of trust or conviction in certain principles or other people.
How can one cultivate hope or faith?
Hope can be cultivated by setting goals and maintaining a positive outlook, while faith may grow from personal reflection, community involvement, or spiritual practices.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
