Hope in the Second Century: fidelity, conversion, and future perspective
In the 2nd century, the theme of hope (elpis) remains one of the pillars of Christian spirituality, derived from Scripture and apostolic tradition. While the eschatological focus remains decisive, there is a practical widening of this virtue: hope is a call to patience, perseverance, and faithfulness amidst tribulations.In this article, we will explore how some post-apostolic writings reinforced the notion of hope as a motivation for conversion, a support in persecution, and a point of convergence for Christian communities in their pursuit of a life faithful to Christ.
Hope and Exhortation to Fidelity and ConversionNew emphases emerge in the way of exhorting and consoling the faithful, always motivated by the promise of a better future. This is seen in the First Letter of Clement, which concludes its exhortation with the expectation of the imminent parousia:“Consider, beloved, how the Lord continually shows us the future resurrection. He established the beginnings of the resurrection in the Lord Jesus Christ and, through His example, revealed to us what awaits us. Thus, let us confidently await the day when His promises are fulfilled, for He is faithful to do so.” (First Letter of Clement 23:5)The same epistle highlights the promises God reserves for those who await Him:“Wonderful are the riches of God’s promises. Consider how great and immense is the happiness prepared for those who await Him. For ‘neither have eyes seen, nor ears heard, nor has it entered into the heart of man what things God has prepared for those who love Him’ (Isaiah 64:3; 1 Corinthians 2:9).” (First Letter of Clement 34:8)“Therefore, whoever has charity in Christ keeps the commandments of Christ. Who is able to explain the beauty of God’s love? To what height He raises us is inexpressible. It is in Him that our hope is founded, and through Him let us hold fast the essence of patience, that we may give thanks to His name in all things.” (First Letter of Clement 35:4)Above all, these post-apostolic writings encourage hope itself.The final chapter of Diadoche exhorts to vigilance and patience:“Vigilate over your life. Let your lamps not go out and your loins not be loose, but be ready, for you do not know the hour when the Lord will come. […] Then the signs of the truth will appear. First, the sign in heaven, then the sound of the trumpet, and finally, the resurrection of the dead. But not all rise again, but only those who believed and persevered.” (Diadoche 16:1,4)Parallelly, the worship of patient and persistent hope emerges in the letters of Ignatius of Antioch, especially in his formulas of greeting or prayer:“I exhort you to do nothing without God. Do all things according to the doctrine of Christ, for He is your immortality and your hope.” (Ignatius of Antioch, Letter to the Ephesians 3:1)“Do all things in the name of Jesus Christ. Do nothing separately from the bishop and the presbytery… Hold one prayer among you, one supplication, one disposition of mind, one hope in love and irreproachable joy, for there is one Lord, Jesus Christ.” (Ignatius of Antioch, Letter to the Magnesians 7:1)Inácio de Antioquia, Carta aos Tralianos 1,1:
“Ignatius, called Theophorus, to the Church of the Trallians, beloved of God the Father and of Jesus Christ, our hope, I desire all joy.”Inácio de Antioquia, Carta aos Romanos 10,3:
“I therefore entreat you not to manifest a misguided piety. Let me be food for the wild beasts, for whom it is granted to attain God. I am God’s wheat, and I shall be ground by the teeth of beasts to be made clean bread of Christ, in hope of rising in Him.”Inácio de Antioquia, Carta aos Filadelfianos 11,2:
“Therefore, stand firm in hope of the Lord, and do not be deceived by those who proclaim diverse doctrines.”Inácio de Antioquia, Carta aos Esmirnenses 10,2; 12,2:
“Beware of schism. Follow rather the example of Christ, for where the bishop is, there must be the community, as where Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church. … I salute in the name of Jesus Christ all who love Him, hoping for His coming. They will be partakers in the Kingdom of God.”Policarpo de Esmirna, Carta de Inácio a Policarpo (remissão ep. 13,27):
“We received the letters of Ignatius, which were written to us by him and others, and read them to great profit, for they contain faith, patience, and all edification that leads to the Lord.”Policarpo, Carta aos Filipenses 8,1:
“I therefore exhort you to obey the word of righteousness, to exercise all patience, as you have seen in your holy brothers … For in Him they have laid their hope.”Primeira Carta de Clemente:
“In the face of persecution, these appeals become even more urgent. The First Letter of Clement mentions the perseverance of the apostles and martyrs in Rome:”Primeira Carta de Clemente 5,4-6,2:
“Peter, who endured countless trials for envy, and after martyrdom departed to the place of glory due him. For envy and strife, Paul, pointing out the reward of patience, endured chains seven times, was exiled, stoned, and proclaimed the Gospel … These were great examples among us. Also for envy, a great number of faithful were persecuted, enduring many terrors, among them women who suffered terrible afflictions. These, firm in hope, obtained a noble destiny.”First Letter of Clement 4,58 (or 58,2 in some editions):“Dearly beloved, let us be meek in spirit. Let us forsake vain glory, abandon vain disputes, and turn to what is good. For it is better, in simplicity of heart and in hope, to turn to the mercy of God.”Ignatius of Antioch, Letter to Polycarp 3,1:“Endure all things in the struggle for God, as He also endured all things for you. And if you are beaten, or imprisoned, or tried by fire or by the cross, stand firm in the hope of Him who is above all times.”Ignatius of Antioch, Letter to Polycarp 2,3:“Remember the eternal reward, which surpasses all earthly sufferings, so that you may not be overcome by present pains.”The Martyrdom of Polycarp 2,2f. 12,1:“They did not cry out or lament, but, filled with courage, they accepted their fate and, as if transported to another world, they did not fear the torments inflicted upon them. […] Just as the Lord sustained us, so He will sustain all who hope in Him. Therefore, we exhort you to follow this example of patience and love for the Lord.”The Continuous Call to ConversionConversion in Clement and the DidacheAlready in the First Letter of Clement, the theme of conversion is essential:First Letter of Clement 7–20 (extract 7,1):“Therefore, brothers, let us fulfill the will of the Father who called us, that we may live according to charity and forsake everything that deflects us from the goal. Let us turn to the Lord, who loved us before the foundation of the world.”Clement emphasizes that God does not abandon those who await Him, but punishes those who turn away from His commandments:First Letter of Clement 11:1, 12:7, 22:9, 35:1-5, 59:3 (excerpts):
11:1: “Behold, the Lord does not forsake those who wait for Him, but He is just and faithful to fulfill His promises. On the other hand, he who turns away from His commandments prepares his own ruin… 59:3: Let us pray to God that He, the observer of all things, may keep us from every transgression and discord, that we may live in union and solid faith, in the hope of His mercy.”Didache (4:10) also emphasizes the importance of fraternal correction and common zeal for salvation:“Do not hesitate to correct your neighbor, but do all things in meekness and fear of the Lord. Thus, you will preserve the hope of what you hear, so as not to lose heart.”Second Letter of Clement: Renewal and Eternal LifeThe Second Letter of Clement opposes a lax faith (1:2) and calls for a renewed understanding of Scripture (19:1, 3:1). It also addresses the correct interpretation of baptism (1:4-6, 9:2) and conversion “while there is time”:Second Letter of Clement 8:1-4:“While we have life in this body, and while we have time to turn to the Lord, let us do so with all our might, so that we may be saved. For after we leave this world, we can no longer confess or practice the works of faith.”Hope stands central, as the author highlights the expectation of eternal life:Second Letter of Clement 5:5, 8:4-6, 14:5, 10:4, 19:3, 20:3 (excerpts):5:5: “We must have hope in the life to come, because God has promised us something beyond our imagination… 14:5: The resurrection is certain. The fruit of it is imperishable, for the Lord will fulfill all His promises. Our part is to remain vigilant and pious. 20:3: Like one who sows a seed and awaits the harvest, so too, trusting in the seed of the Gospel, let us expect with patience the divine harvest.”Therefore, the Christian must persevere to receive the reward:Second Letter of Clement 11:1-7:“Do not be hard-hearted, brothers, lest you be cast out from the Kingdom of God. If you waver, remember that God is faithful to repay each one according to his works, and His promise surpasses all human expectation.”And the expectation of God’s Kingdom should be lived in love and justice:Second Letter of Clement 12:1:“Expect the manifestation of God in love and justice, for no one knows the day when He will reveal Himself.”Hope for one’s own salvation, steadfast before God:Second Letter of Clement 15, 3–5:“Therefore, let your conscience be pure and your hope secure. He who trusts in the Lord will not be disappointed on the day of His judgment.”Building on the Divine Song, which created all things out of nothing, the letter addresses fear of judgment:Second Letter of Clement 16, 3. 17, 5–6:“Let us therefore strive for reverence, for the judgment of him who did not keep his baptism pure is severe. Those who gave themselves to worldly pleasures will have to account for their actions. But those who persevered in good works and spurned the fleeting deceptions of this world can stand before God with confidence.”Praise for steadfastness:Second Letter of Clement 17, 7:“Blessed is he who served God with all his heart, for he will have no fear on that day, but will praise the Lord with joy.”The Apex of Conversion in Hermas’ PastorIn Hermas’ Pastor, with its apocalyptic tone, the heavenly Church and the angel of repentance call for immediate conversion. Those who turn away from good and abandon the Lord are deemed to have no share in future blessings, having already received their “pay” in this world:Hermas’ Pastor, Vision 1, 1, 8:“I saw the figure of the Church, who said to me: ‘Whoever turns away from justice and abandons the Lord can expect no part in future goods, for he has already received his share of fleeting things in this world.'”A New Hope Emerges:But a new hope arises: the hope of conversion:Hermas’ Pastor, Parables (Similitudes) 6, 2, 4. 8, 6, 5. 8, 10, 2:“If, however, they repent with all their hearts, they will find life, for the Lord is great in mercy towards those who do not blaspheme.”“Sin, once confessed and forsaken, opens the way to hope, for God does not close the door to the repentant.”“Even deacons who mismanaged their office can obtain life if they convert.”Hermas’ Pastor, Parables (Similitudes) 9, 26, 2:“Those who received responsibility in the Lord’s house and fulfilled it unworthily have been lost, but if they now repent with all their hearts, they too can attain life.”Conversion Demands Patience:Hermas’ Pastor, Mandates 5, 1, 1–4:“Hear therefore the command I give you: be patient and meek, for patience conquers all things, and thus the devil finds no opening in you. Whoever loves God and hopes in His help overcomes the evil works of the world.”Pastor of Hermas, Mandaments 12:5:2, 12:6:4 (excerpts):«The devil cannot dominate the servants of God who trust in Him with all their hearts. These are the ones who, hoping steadfastly, are strengthened against the suggestions of evil and persevere in virtue.»Hope as the Essence of Post-Apostolic FaithCommunities of the 2nd century, pressured both externally and internally, so highly valued hope that it could be described as «the essence of all faith life». Ignatius of Antioch spoke of «common name and common hope»:Ignatius of Antioch, Letter to the Ephesians 1:2, 21:2 (excerpts):
1:2: «To all of you, who are fellow-heirs of Christ by the same baptism and hope, I send greetings in the Lord.»
21:2: «Jesus Christ is our hope, in Him we have been renewed for eternal life.»Justinus Martyr spoke of «a new law, a new covenant» and the expectation of those who await divine salvation:Justinus Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho 11:4. Cf. 16:4, 35:2, 52:4 (topical excerpts):
«There is a people among all peoples who looks for the revelation of the Messiah and lives under a law that is no longer that of Moses, but that of Christ, the new Covenant, whose principal commandment is love.»Hope united all Christians, lords and slaves, for they all hoped in the same Lord:Letter of Barnabas 19:7
«Whether great or small, free or slave, all serve the same Lord and all share in common the same hope.»It was the common hope of the elect:First Letter of Clement 58:2, 35:2, 51:1, 57:2 (topical excerpts):
58:2: «This is the common hope of the elect: to be preserved by God, who sees all things, and to receive from the same source mercy and salvation.»It also served as a bond between Christians and prophets of the Old Testament who awaited the coming of the Messiah:Ignatius of Antioch, Letter to the Philadelphians 5:2. Letter to the Magnesians 5:2 (topical excerpts):
Philadelphians 5:2: «Faith, hope, and love were also the virtues of the prophets who looked for the revelation of Christ.»
Magnesians 5:2: «Let us not be like those who only profess, but do not truly believe in the coming of Christ. Rather, let us remain in the same hope of the saints who preceded us.»The guarantee of this hope is Christ, often called «our hope»:Ignatius of Antioch, Letter to the Ephesians 21:2
«Jesus Christ, our hope, through whom we have the forgiveness of sins and the resurrection.»Ignatius of Antioch, Letter to the Magnesians 11:1
«For if we did not have Christ, our hope would be vain and we would be in darkness.»First Letter of Clement 58:2: “Dearly beloved, being firmly in Christ, who is our hope, let us flee from all evil and live in accordance with His will.”More specifically, Christian hope is based on the cross:– Epistle of Barnabas 8:5: “The cross of Christ is the sign by which we recognize the hope of eternal life.”
– Ignatius of Antioch, Letter to the Ephesians 9:1: “Do nothing without the sign of the Lord, for it is on the cross that our hope is confirmed.”However, one cannot think that communion with Christ in the present excludes the future aspect. Even the sacraments, which emphasize the salvific presence, point to the coming consummation:– Didache 10:6; 9:4; 10:5:
10:6: “Remember, Lord, Your Church, deliver it from all evil and perfect it in Your love. Gather it from the four winds into Your Kingdom which You have prepared for it.”
9:4: “Just as this broken bread was scattered over the mountains and gathered together into one, so may Your Church be gathered together from all quarters into Your Kingdom.”In the same vein, baptism is:– Second Letter of Clement 8:6: “Baptism in Christ marks us for the day of redemption, as a seal attesting our hope.”
– Ignatius of Antioch, Letter to Polycarp 6:2: “He who has kept the purity of his baptism will not perish, but will see the glory of the Lord.”And the Eucharist is:– Ignatius of Antioch, Letter to the Ephesians 20:2: “Let us therefore draw near to the Eucharist, which is the remedy for immortality, the antidote that prevents us from perishing, but which enables us to live forever in Christ.”Recommended Reading: *Spe Salvi* (Benedict XVI), an encyclical on Christian hope.Deepen your studies: explore Mariology, Marian Theology, Marian Apparitions, and the Graduate Program in Mariology.ConclusionThe hope of conversion in the Pastor of Hermas and in so many other testimonies of the 2nd century clearly opens up to eternal life (Pastor of Hermas, Parables 6,2,4. 8,7,2–3. 8,10,2). A deeply practical vision of hope emerges: it drives life change (conversion), strengthens believers in persecution, and sustains community cohesion.In summary, these works demonstrate that hope, taken from the New Testament, is much more than an expectation of the end of time. It grounds daily perseverance and the Christian’s commitment to live charity and fidelity, convinced that God will fulfill His promises. In the 2nd century, this virtue not only shaped theology but also community identity and the faith testimony in the face of adversity. In the thought and feelings of post-apostolic communities, both externally and internally pressured, hope held such a central place that it could be described as the essence of all faith life.After all, if Christ is ‘our hope’, it is for Christians of all eras, and especially those of the 2nd century, to live in the certainty that ‘He who began the good work will complete it’ (Phil 1:6). Thus, hope reveals itself as a secure anchor, a guiding light on the path, and energy for personal and communal transformation.The Locus Mariologicus Institute is the world’s leading academic center in Mariology. Explore our Marian Theology, Marian Apparitions studies, and the Graduate Program in Mariology.To delve deeper into Marian hope theology, consult the Encyclical Redemptoris Mater by Pope John Paul II.
Hope and Exhortation to Fidelity and ConversionNew emphases emerge in the way of exhorting and consoling the faithful, always motivated by the promise of a better future. This is seen in the First Letter of Clement, which concludes its exhortation with the expectation of the imminent parousia:“Consider, beloved, how the Lord continually shows us the future resurrection. He established the beginnings of the resurrection in the Lord Jesus Christ and, through His example, revealed to us what awaits us. Thus, let us confidently await the day when His promises are fulfilled, for He is faithful to do so.” (First Letter of Clement 23:5)The same epistle highlights the promises God reserves for those who await Him:“Wonderful are the riches of God’s promises. Consider how great and immense is the happiness prepared for those who await Him. For ‘neither have eyes seen, nor ears heard, nor has it entered into the heart of man what things God has prepared for those who love Him’ (Isaiah 64:3; 1 Corinthians 2:9).” (First Letter of Clement 34:8)“Therefore, whoever has charity in Christ keeps the commandments of Christ. Who is able to explain the beauty of God’s love? To what height He raises us is inexpressible. It is in Him that our hope is founded, and through Him let us hold fast the essence of patience, that we may give thanks to His name in all things.” (First Letter of Clement 35:4)Above all, these post-apostolic writings encourage hope itself.The final chapter of Diadoche exhorts to vigilance and patience:“Vigilate over your life. Let your lamps not go out and your loins not be loose, but be ready, for you do not know the hour when the Lord will come. […] Then the signs of the truth will appear. First, the sign in heaven, then the sound of the trumpet, and finally, the resurrection of the dead. But not all rise again, but only those who believed and persevered.” (Diadoche 16:1,4)Parallelly, the worship of patient and persistent hope emerges in the letters of Ignatius of Antioch, especially in his formulas of greeting or prayer:“I exhort you to do nothing without God. Do all things according to the doctrine of Christ, for He is your immortality and your hope.” (Ignatius of Antioch, Letter to the Ephesians 3:1)“Do all things in the name of Jesus Christ. Do nothing separately from the bishop and the presbytery… Hold one prayer among you, one supplication, one disposition of mind, one hope in love and irreproachable joy, for there is one Lord, Jesus Christ.” (Ignatius of Antioch, Letter to the Magnesians 7:1)Inácio de Antioquia, Carta aos Tralianos 1,1:
“Ignatius, called Theophorus, to the Church of the Trallians, beloved of God the Father and of Jesus Christ, our hope, I desire all joy.”Inácio de Antioquia, Carta aos Romanos 10,3:
“I therefore entreat you not to manifest a misguided piety. Let me be food for the wild beasts, for whom it is granted to attain God. I am God’s wheat, and I shall be ground by the teeth of beasts to be made clean bread of Christ, in hope of rising in Him.”Inácio de Antioquia, Carta aos Filadelfianos 11,2:
“Therefore, stand firm in hope of the Lord, and do not be deceived by those who proclaim diverse doctrines.”Inácio de Antioquia, Carta aos Esmirnenses 10,2; 12,2:
“Beware of schism. Follow rather the example of Christ, for where the bishop is, there must be the community, as where Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church. … I salute in the name of Jesus Christ all who love Him, hoping for His coming. They will be partakers in the Kingdom of God.”Policarpo de Esmirna, Carta de Inácio a Policarpo (remissão ep. 13,27):
“We received the letters of Ignatius, which were written to us by him and others, and read them to great profit, for they contain faith, patience, and all edification that leads to the Lord.”Policarpo, Carta aos Filipenses 8,1:
“I therefore exhort you to obey the word of righteousness, to exercise all patience, as you have seen in your holy brothers … For in Him they have laid their hope.”Primeira Carta de Clemente:
“In the face of persecution, these appeals become even more urgent. The First Letter of Clement mentions the perseverance of the apostles and martyrs in Rome:”Primeira Carta de Clemente 5,4-6,2:
“Peter, who endured countless trials for envy, and after martyrdom departed to the place of glory due him. For envy and strife, Paul, pointing out the reward of patience, endured chains seven times, was exiled, stoned, and proclaimed the Gospel … These were great examples among us. Also for envy, a great number of faithful were persecuted, enduring many terrors, among them women who suffered terrible afflictions. These, firm in hope, obtained a noble destiny.”First Letter of Clement 4,58 (or 58,2 in some editions):“Dearly beloved, let us be meek in spirit. Let us forsake vain glory, abandon vain disputes, and turn to what is good. For it is better, in simplicity of heart and in hope, to turn to the mercy of God.”Ignatius of Antioch, Letter to Polycarp 3,1:“Endure all things in the struggle for God, as He also endured all things for you. And if you are beaten, or imprisoned, or tried by fire or by the cross, stand firm in the hope of Him who is above all times.”Ignatius of Antioch, Letter to Polycarp 2,3:“Remember the eternal reward, which surpasses all earthly sufferings, so that you may not be overcome by present pains.”The Martyrdom of Polycarp 2,2f. 12,1:“They did not cry out or lament, but, filled with courage, they accepted their fate and, as if transported to another world, they did not fear the torments inflicted upon them. […] Just as the Lord sustained us, so He will sustain all who hope in Him. Therefore, we exhort you to follow this example of patience and love for the Lord.”The Continuous Call to ConversionConversion in Clement and the DidacheAlready in the First Letter of Clement, the theme of conversion is essential:First Letter of Clement 7–20 (extract 7,1):“Therefore, brothers, let us fulfill the will of the Father who called us, that we may live according to charity and forsake everything that deflects us from the goal. Let us turn to the Lord, who loved us before the foundation of the world.”Clement emphasizes that God does not abandon those who await Him, but punishes those who turn away from His commandments:First Letter of Clement 11:1, 12:7, 22:9, 35:1-5, 59:3 (excerpts):
11:1: “Behold, the Lord does not forsake those who wait for Him, but He is just and faithful to fulfill His promises. On the other hand, he who turns away from His commandments prepares his own ruin… 59:3: Let us pray to God that He, the observer of all things, may keep us from every transgression and discord, that we may live in union and solid faith, in the hope of His mercy.”Didache (4:10) also emphasizes the importance of fraternal correction and common zeal for salvation:“Do not hesitate to correct your neighbor, but do all things in meekness and fear of the Lord. Thus, you will preserve the hope of what you hear, so as not to lose heart.”Second Letter of Clement: Renewal and Eternal LifeThe Second Letter of Clement opposes a lax faith (1:2) and calls for a renewed understanding of Scripture (19:1, 3:1). It also addresses the correct interpretation of baptism (1:4-6, 9:2) and conversion “while there is time”:Second Letter of Clement 8:1-4:“While we have life in this body, and while we have time to turn to the Lord, let us do so with all our might, so that we may be saved. For after we leave this world, we can no longer confess or practice the works of faith.”Hope stands central, as the author highlights the expectation of eternal life:Second Letter of Clement 5:5, 8:4-6, 14:5, 10:4, 19:3, 20:3 (excerpts):5:5: “We must have hope in the life to come, because God has promised us something beyond our imagination… 14:5: The resurrection is certain. The fruit of it is imperishable, for the Lord will fulfill all His promises. Our part is to remain vigilant and pious. 20:3: Like one who sows a seed and awaits the harvest, so too, trusting in the seed of the Gospel, let us expect with patience the divine harvest.”Therefore, the Christian must persevere to receive the reward:Second Letter of Clement 11:1-7:“Do not be hard-hearted, brothers, lest you be cast out from the Kingdom of God. If you waver, remember that God is faithful to repay each one according to his works, and His promise surpasses all human expectation.”And the expectation of God’s Kingdom should be lived in love and justice:Second Letter of Clement 12:1:“Expect the manifestation of God in love and justice, for no one knows the day when He will reveal Himself.”Hope for one’s own salvation, steadfast before God:Second Letter of Clement 15, 3–5:“Therefore, let your conscience be pure and your hope secure. He who trusts in the Lord will not be disappointed on the day of His judgment.”Building on the Divine Song, which created all things out of nothing, the letter addresses fear of judgment:Second Letter of Clement 16, 3. 17, 5–6:“Let us therefore strive for reverence, for the judgment of him who did not keep his baptism pure is severe. Those who gave themselves to worldly pleasures will have to account for their actions. But those who persevered in good works and spurned the fleeting deceptions of this world can stand before God with confidence.”Praise for steadfastness:Second Letter of Clement 17, 7:“Blessed is he who served God with all his heart, for he will have no fear on that day, but will praise the Lord with joy.”The Apex of Conversion in Hermas’ PastorIn Hermas’ Pastor, with its apocalyptic tone, the heavenly Church and the angel of repentance call for immediate conversion. Those who turn away from good and abandon the Lord are deemed to have no share in future blessings, having already received their “pay” in this world:Hermas’ Pastor, Vision 1, 1, 8:“I saw the figure of the Church, who said to me: ‘Whoever turns away from justice and abandons the Lord can expect no part in future goods, for he has already received his share of fleeting things in this world.'”A New Hope Emerges:But a new hope arises: the hope of conversion:Hermas’ Pastor, Parables (Similitudes) 6, 2, 4. 8, 6, 5. 8, 10, 2:“If, however, they repent with all their hearts, they will find life, for the Lord is great in mercy towards those who do not blaspheme.”“Sin, once confessed and forsaken, opens the way to hope, for God does not close the door to the repentant.”“Even deacons who mismanaged their office can obtain life if they convert.”Hermas’ Pastor, Parables (Similitudes) 9, 26, 2:“Those who received responsibility in the Lord’s house and fulfilled it unworthily have been lost, but if they now repent with all their hearts, they too can attain life.”Conversion Demands Patience:Hermas’ Pastor, Mandates 5, 1, 1–4:“Hear therefore the command I give you: be patient and meek, for patience conquers all things, and thus the devil finds no opening in you. Whoever loves God and hopes in His help overcomes the evil works of the world.”Pastor of Hermas, Mandaments 12:5:2, 12:6:4 (excerpts):«The devil cannot dominate the servants of God who trust in Him with all their hearts. These are the ones who, hoping steadfastly, are strengthened against the suggestions of evil and persevere in virtue.»Hope as the Essence of Post-Apostolic FaithCommunities of the 2nd century, pressured both externally and internally, so highly valued hope that it could be described as «the essence of all faith life». Ignatius of Antioch spoke of «common name and common hope»:Ignatius of Antioch, Letter to the Ephesians 1:2, 21:2 (excerpts):
1:2: «To all of you, who are fellow-heirs of Christ by the same baptism and hope, I send greetings in the Lord.»
21:2: «Jesus Christ is our hope, in Him we have been renewed for eternal life.»Justinus Martyr spoke of «a new law, a new covenant» and the expectation of those who await divine salvation:Justinus Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho 11:4. Cf. 16:4, 35:2, 52:4 (topical excerpts):
«There is a people among all peoples who looks for the revelation of the Messiah and lives under a law that is no longer that of Moses, but that of Christ, the new Covenant, whose principal commandment is love.»Hope united all Christians, lords and slaves, for they all hoped in the same Lord:Letter of Barnabas 19:7
«Whether great or small, free or slave, all serve the same Lord and all share in common the same hope.»It was the common hope of the elect:First Letter of Clement 58:2, 35:2, 51:1, 57:2 (topical excerpts):
58:2: «This is the common hope of the elect: to be preserved by God, who sees all things, and to receive from the same source mercy and salvation.»It also served as a bond between Christians and prophets of the Old Testament who awaited the coming of the Messiah:Ignatius of Antioch, Letter to the Philadelphians 5:2. Letter to the Magnesians 5:2 (topical excerpts):
Philadelphians 5:2: «Faith, hope, and love were also the virtues of the prophets who looked for the revelation of Christ.»
Magnesians 5:2: «Let us not be like those who only profess, but do not truly believe in the coming of Christ. Rather, let us remain in the same hope of the saints who preceded us.»The guarantee of this hope is Christ, often called «our hope»:Ignatius of Antioch, Letter to the Ephesians 21:2
«Jesus Christ, our hope, through whom we have the forgiveness of sins and the resurrection.»Ignatius of Antioch, Letter to the Magnesians 11:1
«For if we did not have Christ, our hope would be vain and we would be in darkness.»First Letter of Clement 58:2: “Dearly beloved, being firmly in Christ, who is our hope, let us flee from all evil and live in accordance with His will.”More specifically, Christian hope is based on the cross:– Epistle of Barnabas 8:5: “The cross of Christ is the sign by which we recognize the hope of eternal life.”
– Ignatius of Antioch, Letter to the Ephesians 9:1: “Do nothing without the sign of the Lord, for it is on the cross that our hope is confirmed.”However, one cannot think that communion with Christ in the present excludes the future aspect. Even the sacraments, which emphasize the salvific presence, point to the coming consummation:– Didache 10:6; 9:4; 10:5:
10:6: “Remember, Lord, Your Church, deliver it from all evil and perfect it in Your love. Gather it from the four winds into Your Kingdom which You have prepared for it.”
9:4: “Just as this broken bread was scattered over the mountains and gathered together into one, so may Your Church be gathered together from all quarters into Your Kingdom.”In the same vein, baptism is:– Second Letter of Clement 8:6: “Baptism in Christ marks us for the day of redemption, as a seal attesting our hope.”
– Ignatius of Antioch, Letter to Polycarp 6:2: “He who has kept the purity of his baptism will not perish, but will see the glory of the Lord.”And the Eucharist is:– Ignatius of Antioch, Letter to the Ephesians 20:2: “Let us therefore draw near to the Eucharist, which is the remedy for immortality, the antidote that prevents us from perishing, but which enables us to live forever in Christ.”Recommended Reading: *Spe Salvi* (Benedict XVI), an encyclical on Christian hope.Deepen your studies: explore Mariology, Marian Theology, Marian Apparitions, and the Graduate Program in Mariology.ConclusionThe hope of conversion in the Pastor of Hermas and in so many other testimonies of the 2nd century clearly opens up to eternal life (Pastor of Hermas, Parables 6,2,4. 8,7,2–3. 8,10,2). A deeply practical vision of hope emerges: it drives life change (conversion), strengthens believers in persecution, and sustains community cohesion.In summary, these works demonstrate that hope, taken from the New Testament, is much more than an expectation of the end of time. It grounds daily perseverance and the Christian’s commitment to live charity and fidelity, convinced that God will fulfill His promises. In the 2nd century, this virtue not only shaped theology but also community identity and the faith testimony in the face of adversity. In the thought and feelings of post-apostolic communities, both externally and internally pressured, hope held such a central place that it could be described as the essence of all faith life.After all, if Christ is ‘our hope’, it is for Christians of all eras, and especially those of the 2nd century, to live in the certainty that ‘He who began the good work will complete it’ (Phil 1:6). Thus, hope reveals itself as a secure anchor, a guiding light on the path, and energy for personal and communal transformation.The Locus Mariologicus Institute is the world’s leading academic center in Mariology. Explore our Marian Theology, Marian Apparitions studies, and the Graduate Program in Mariology.To delve deeper into Marian hope theology, consult the Encyclical Redemptoris Mater by Pope John Paul II.Graduate Studies in Mariology
Do you want to deepen your formation in Mariology? Get to know the Graduate Program in Mariology from Locus Mariologicus, an academic formation that combines theological rigor, spiritual life, and the living tradition of the Church.
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