The Modern Appeal of "Saints"

How Can True Saints Help You?

IN THE Scriptures, the Greek word rendered "saint" in some versions can be translated "holy one." To whom did the term apply? "In the plural, as used of believers," notes An Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, "It designates all such and is not applied merely to persons of exceptional holiness, or to those who, having died, were characterized by exceptional acts of saintliness."

The apostle Paul therefore designated all early Christians as true saints,m or holy ones. For instance, he addressed a letter penned in the first century C.E. "to the congregation of God that is in Corinth, together with all the holy ones who are in all of [the Roman province of] Achaia." (2 Corinthians 1:1) Later, Paul wrote a letter "to all those who are in Rome as God's beloved ones, called to be saints." (Romans 1:7) These holy ones had obviously not yet died, nor had they because of outstanding virtue been set apart above the rest of the believers. On what basis were they distinguished as saints?

Next time: Sanctified by God

Watchtower, 2002