Christian saints are people who have been recognized as outstanding examples of holiness and virtue within the Christian tradition. The word “saint” comes from the Greek word hagios, which means “holy one” or “set apart one.” In the Bible, all true followers of Jesus are referred to as saints, meaning they have been made holy through their faith in Christ. However, over time the term “saint” has taken on some additional meanings. Here is an overview of the biblical understanding of saints:
All Christians are called to be saints
The New Testament refers to all believers in Jesus Christ as saints. Paul frequently addresses his letters “to the saints in…” followed by the name of the city or region (Romans 1:7, 1 Corinthians 1:2, etc.). The implication is that sainthood is not an elite status, but rather the calling of every follower of Jesus. Through Christ’s atoning work on the cross, believers are sanctified (made holy) and called to increasingly live out that holiness in thought, word, and deed. As it says in Hebrews 10:14, “For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.”
Some key verses on all Christians being saints include:
– “To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints…” (Romans 1:7)
– “To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be his holy people, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ – their Lord and ours.” (1 Corinthians 1:2)
– “Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi…” (Philippians 1:1)
– “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9)
So in the biblical understanding, all Christians have been made holy through faith in Jesus and are called to live out that holiness as saints of God. Sainthood is not just for an elite few.
Outstanding examples of Christian holiness
While all believers are saints, the New Testament does also provide outstanding examples of Christian holiness that we can seek to emulate. People like the apostles Peter and Paul, Barnabas, Timothy, and others are lift up as model disciples of Jesus Christ.
For example, the end of Hebrews 11 recounts the faithfulness of various biblical saints who persevered under trial:
“Others were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated – the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground. These were all commended for their faith…” (Hebrews 11:35-39)
So while all believers are called to live holy lives as saints, some stand out even further as outstanding examples for us to emulate. Their stories inspire us and encourage us to continue running the race of faith.
Saints officially recognized by the Roman Catholic and Orthodox Churches
In addition to the general biblical understanding of sainthood, over the centuries the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches developed an official process of recognizing certain saints based on lives of exceptional holiness and the verification of miracles attributed to them after death. This formal canonization process arose hundreds of years after the time of the New Testament.
According to the Catholic tradition, an official investigation is undertaken five years after a person dies to determine if they lived a life of “heroic virtue.” Miracles are then attributed to the dead holy person’s intercession. After being beatified (“Blessed”) and another miracle occurs, then the person may be officially recognized as a saint. Saints are believed to be in heaven, so they can pray to God on behalf of those still on earth.
Some major Catholic/Orthodox saints include the apostles, Mary the mother Jesus, early martyrs like St. Sebastian, St. George, and St. Lucy, famous monastics like St. Anthony of Egypt, missionary saints like St. Patrick, great thinkers like St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas, and modern figures like Mother Teresa.
However, this formal process and categories of recognized saints developed centuries after the Bible was written. It reflects later church tradition more than biblical teaching itself on sainthood. The New Testament does not contain a formal canonization process.
Veneration versus worship of saints
An important distinction in the practices surrounding saints is between veneration and worship. Veneration is respect and admiration for the godly lives saints have led. But worship is reserved for God alone. Unfortunately at times in church history veneration of saints has crossed the line into worship, with saints becoming near objects of prayer and devotion like lesser gods.
The Bible strictly prohibits worshiping anything or anyone other than the one true God. When John fell down to worship an angel, the angel rebuked him saying: “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you… Worship God.” (Revelation 22:8-9). Peter also rejected worship from Cornelius saying, “Stand up, I am only a man myself.” (Acts 10:25-26).
So the Bible allows respect and honor for saintly men and women who have gone before us, but worship belongs to God alone. No saint, no matter how holy, is to be worshiped.
Key traits of biblical saints
While the perfect holiness of a saint is unattainable for flawed human beings, Scripture does describe certain virtues and characteristics that mark the lives of saints:
– Obedience to Christ – Saints seek to follow Jesus’ commands above all else (John 14:15, John 15:14).
– Love for God and neighbor – Like Jesus, saints practice sacrificial love for God and others (1 John 3:16-18, 1 John 4:7-21).
– Bearing spiritual fruit – qualities like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
– Courage & perseverance – Saints bravely endure persecution, resisting pressures to compromise morality (Hebrews 11:32-38, Revelation 14:12).
– Humility – They remember that righteousness comes not through human effort but God’s grace (Ephesians 2:8-9, James 4:10).
– Purity – Saints strive to avoid sexual immorality and live holy lives (Ephesians 5:3, 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8).
– Selfless Generosity – Saints use their resources to generously serve God and others (2 Corinthians 8:1-5, 1 Timothy 6:17-19).
– Prayerfulness – Saints devote themselves to prayer, communing with God constantly (Colossians 4:2, 1 Thessalonians 5:17).
So in summary, the Bible teaches that saints are all who have been made holy through Christ, though some stand out as extraordinary examples of Christian discipleship for us to emulate. But no saint is to be worshiped – devotion belongs to God alone. Their lives display obedience, love, courage, purity, generosity, and prayerfulness. While we cannot match their perfection, they inspire us in pursuing holiness ourselves.
Qualities that do not define sainthood
It’s also important to clarify what does NOT make someone a saint in the biblical understanding:
– Miracles – While stories of miracles sometimes accompany saints, the miracles themselves do not determine sainthood. Otherwise this would be putting the focus on outward signs rather than inner holiness.
– Positions of authority – Bishops, popes, priests or pastors do not inherently qualify as saints simply because of their offices. True sainthood is defined by character.
– Extreme asceticism – Practices like intense fasting, self-flagellation, and solitary isolation for decades do not automatically equal holiness. Some desert monks or medieval ascetics clearly went to unbiblical extremes.
– Good works – Outward acts of charity and compassion do not necessarily reflect true inner righteousness, which is a matter of the heart and motive (Isaiah 64:6, 1 Corinthians 13:3).
– Apparitions & Visions – Mystical experiences mean little if the person lacks the selfless love and spiritual fruits that characterize saints. Sometimes alleged visions of Mary and saints may even be deceptive (2 Corinthians 11:14).
– Martyrdom – While many saints were martyred for their faith in Christ, martyrdom alone does not make one a saint. The motivation and character behind it must be genuine Christian holiness.
So in evaluating saintliness, it is wise to look beyond superficial outward criteria to the inner heart and character of a person – are they marked by Christlike humility, purity, love and the other biblical virtues? This requires spiritual discernment.
Non-biblical ideas of sainthood to avoid
In closing, it should be noted that some non-biblical concepts associated with sainthood have arisen over history that believers should avoid:
– The idea that saints can answer prayer or intercede for us – the Bible gives no indication that saints in heaven can hear prayers or intercede on earth. Jesus Christ alone is our intercessor before the Father (1 Timothy 2:5).
– Praying to the saints – prayer is to be directed to God alone. There are no examples in Scripture of praying to saints (Matthew 6:9, Acts 12:5).
– The idea that patron saints watch over aspects of daily life – this is mere superstition not supported by Scripture.
– Thinking that saints medals, relics or shrines can bring miracles or protection – another superstitious belief with no biblical precedent. We are never instructed to revere physical items associated with saints.
– Making images of saints that border on idolatry – statues, icons and paintings of saints can wrongly overshadow devotion to Christ (Exodus 20:4).
In all aspects of honoring biblical saints, care must be taken to ensure Christ remains the sole object of worship, prayer and veneration. The wonderful examples saints provide should always point us to Jesus Himself, the fulfillment of perfect holiness (Colossians 1:28).