Who Is A "Saint"?
Greg Gwin

Question: Is it proper to use the term "saints" to refer to all Christians, or is this title reserved for and assigned posthumously to those of extraordinary character and ability?

Answer: Our understanding of this term has been altered significantly by the teaching and practice of the Catholic Church. The modern dictionary definition reflects this influence: "one of...exceptional holiness of life formally recognized by the...church as having attained an exalted position in heaven...entitled to veneration on earth". This is clearly not true to the Bible usage of the word.

"Saint" comes from the Greek word ‘hagios’ which is taken from the same root as the terms holy and sanctified. Each of these suggests being set apart or dedicated to a specific purpose or cause, and thus describes every Christian.

In his Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, W. E. Vine says "this is not an attainment, it is a state...it designates all believers and is not applied merely to persons of exceptional holiness, or to those who, having died, were characterized by exceptional acts of saintliness".

To confirm that this view is correct, note that 1st Corinthians is addressed to "those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling" (1 Cor. 1:2 - NASV). Yet these same "saints" were guilty of contentions (1:11), carnal mindedness (3:1-3), toleration of sin (5:1-2), desecration of the Lord's Supper (11:17-34), etc. Yes, all of the Christians at Corinth were saints, but not all were living as God desired. In fact Paul said: "Shall I praise you in this? I praise you not" (11:22). They were all saints, but they were not all praiseworthy.

So, the term "saint" has been perverted through the centuries. But, according to the Bible, it is proper to use the term "saint" to refer to all true Christians. The challenge is for us all to live up to the true definition of the word.