The people of God, especially in relation to their being set apart from the world to serve him. Believers are called upon to lead holy lives worthy of their calling.
Saints are set apart for God
1 Corinthians 1:2 To be holy is to be set apart. The same Greek word is used in the NT for both “holy” and, in the plural, “saints”. See also Deuteronomy 7:6, Deuteronomy 26:19; Psalm 4:3; Romans 1:7; Hebrews 10:10
To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours:
They are members of God's covenant people
Psalm 85:8 See also 2 Chronicles 6:41 parallel Psalm 132:9; Psalm 30:4, Psalm 34:9, Psalm 50:5, Psalm 79:1–2, Psalm 132:16
I will listen to what God the LORD will say; for He will surely speak peace to His people and His saints; He will not let them return to folly.
They are believers
Romans 16:15 See also Romans 8:27, Romans 15:31; Philippians 4:21–22; Colossians 1:26; 1 Timothy 5:10
Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas and all the saints with them.
They make up the church
1 Corinthians 14:33 See also Acts 9:32; Ephesians 1:1; Colossians 1:2
For God is not a God of disorder, but of peace— as in all the churches of the saints.
Saints are to live lives worthy of their calling
Ephesians 5:3–4 See also Romans 16:2; Ephesians 4:1–3; 2 Peter 3:11; Revelation 13:10, Revelation 14:12
But among you, as is proper among the saints, there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk, or crude joking, which are out of character, but rather thanksgiving.
Saints have responsibility for one another
Romans 12:13 See also Romans 15:25–26; 1 Corinthians 6:1, 1 Corinthians 16:1–2, 1 Corinthians 16:15; 2 Corinthians 9:1–2, 2 Corinthians 9:12
Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Saints have spiritual union with Jesus Christ
Hebrews 2:11 See also John 15:4–5; 1 Corinthians 1:2; Ephesians 1:1; Philippians 1:1, Philippians 4:21; Colossians 1:2; 2 Thessalonians 1:10
For both the One who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers.
Saints may be persecuted
John 15:19 See also Daniel 7:21, Daniel 7:25, Daniel 8:24; John 17:14; Acts 9:13, Acts 26:10; Revelation 13:7, Revelation 16:6
If you were of the world, it would love you as its own. Instead, the world hates you, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world.
Saints are precious in God's sight
Psalm 16:3 See also Psalm 116:15, Psalm 147:11, Psalm 149:4; Ephesians 1:18
As for the saints in the land, they are the excellence in whom all my delight resides.
They enjoy God's protection
1 Samuel 2:9 See also Psalm 31:23, Psalm 37:28, Psalm 97:10; Proverbs 2:8
He guards the steps of His faithful ones, but the wicked perish in darkness; for by his own strength shall no man prevail.
They experience exaltation
Daniel 7:18 See also Psalm 149:6–9; Daniel 7:22, Daniel 7:27; Matthew 27:52; 1 Corinthians 6:2; Colossians 1:12
But the saints of the Most High will receive the kingdom and possess it forever — yes, forever and ever.’
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.