What Is a Saint in the Bible – Biblical Meaning Truth

Have you ever looked at a painting or a statue of a saint? They usually have this soft, golden halo, a peaceful expression, and they look like they never had a bad day in their life. For years, that was my picture of a saint—someone who was basically a spiritual superhero, so good and so perfect that they were in a totally different league than the rest of us. But what if I told you that this popular image has almost nothing to do with the Bible’s actual definition?

Understanding what is a saint in the Bible was a game-changer for my faith. It took the idea of being a “saint” from an impossible, out-of-reach pedestal and placed it right into the reality of my everyday life. The truth is, the Bible’s meaning is simpler, more inclusive, and far more powerful than most people realize. If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, the Bible has a surprising and wonderful name for you: saint.

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Key Takeaways

For those short on time, here are the essential truths about what a saint is according to the Bible:

• A Saint Is Any Believer in Jesus: Sainthood is not an award for elite spiritual performance. It is the identity given to every single person who has put their faith in Jesus Christ for salvation.
• The Original Word Means “Set Apart”: The Greek word for saint, hagios, means “holy one” or “one who is set apart.” It’s about being chosen by God for His purposes, not about being perfect.
• It’s Your Position, Not Your Performance: You are a saint because of what Jesus has done for you, not because of what you do. Your holiness is based on His righteousness, not your own.
• Biblical Saints Were Flawed People: The people the Apostle Paul called “saints” in the New Testament were real, messy people dealing with all sorts of problems. Their sainthood was in Christ, not in their own perfection.
• This Identity Changes How You Live: Understanding you are a saint isn’t meant to make you prideful. It’s meant to give you a secure foundation to live a life that honors God, knowing you are His child.

Who Does the Bible Actually Call a Saint?

When we get right down to it, the Bible’s use of the word “saint” is incredibly straightforward. It refers to all believers in Jesus Christ. That’s it. There are no extra qualifications. No waiting period. No panel of judges.

Take a look at how the Apostle Paul opens his letters to the early churches. He wasn’t writing to a special class of super-Christians. He was writing to entire congregations of everyday people.

To the church in Corinth, he writes:

“To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ…” (1 Corinthians 1:2, ESV)

To the believers in Ephesus, he says:

“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus…” (Ephesians 1:1, ESV)

And to the Philippians:

“Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi…” (Philippians 1:1, ESV)

Notice a pattern? He calls all of them saints. The original Greek word used here is hagios. It doesn’t mean “perfect” or “sinless.” It simply means “holy ones” or, more accurately, “set-apart ones.” A saint is someone whom God has set apart from the rest of the world for His own special purpose.

Are a Saint’s Actions What Make Them Holy?

This was a huge sticking point for me for a long time. I thought, “How can I be a saint when I still mess up? When I still have doubts and struggles?” The secret is in understanding the difference between our position and our practice.

• Our Position: In the moment you place your faith in Jesus, God declares you holy. He sees you through the filter of His Son’s perfect sacrifice. Your spiritual position is changed forever. You are a saint.
• Our Practice: This is the lifelong journey of learning to live out that new identity. God calls us to become in our daily actions what we already are in our spiritual position. This process is called sanctification.

Think of it like being adopted. A child who is adopted into a royal family immediately becomes a prince or princess. That’s their new position and identity. It has nothing to do with how well they behave. Now, they will spend the rest of their lives learning how to live in a way that reflects their new royal status. Their behavior doesn’t earn them the title, but their title should absolutely influence their behavior.

It’s the same for us. We are saints by God’s grace, and we spend our lives learning to live like the set-apart children of God we now are.

Why Does the Modern Idea of a Saint Differ So Much from the Bible?

So if the biblical definition is so clear, where did our modern-day idea of saints come from? The one with canonization processes, miracles, and patronage?

Over centuries of church history, traditions developed to honor and remember believers who had lived exceptionally faithful lives. In some branches of Christianity, this evolved into a formal process called “canonization,” where a person is officially recognized as being in heaven and worthy of veneration.

There’s a rich history there, but it’s important to see that this is a tradition that developed long after the Bible was written. It created a distinction between “regular” believers and a special class of “Saints” (with a capital “S”).

I don’t say this to be critical of any specific tradition, but to point out the dramatic contrast with the New Testament. The Bible’s definition is radically inclusive. It tears down the idea that only a few can be saints and declares that all who are in Christ are saints. The biblical truth is not about honoring a few spiritual giants; it’s about understanding the incredible identity that every believer shares. It’s far more personal and empowering.

What Does It Mean to Be ‘Set Apart’ by God?

This idea of being “set apart” is the heart of what it means to be a saint. It’s a powerful concept that runs through the entire Bible. From the very beginning, God has always set things apart for a special purpose. He set apart a day of rest (the Sabbath). He set apart a nation (Israel). He set apart a place for His presence to dwell (the Tabernacle and Temple).

In the New Covenant, through the work of Jesus, God is now setting apart a people. Us. The church.

Being set apart doesn’t mean being removed from the world. Jesus actually prayed for the opposite for His followers: “I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one” (John 17:15). Instead, it means being different while living in the world.

How Are We Set Apart for God’s Purpose?

When God sets us apart, He does it for a reason. He gives us a new identity and a new purpose that redefines every part of our lives.

• We are set apart from the penalty of sin. Because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, our sins are forgiven. We are no longer defined by our mistakes but by His grace.
• We are set apart to be His representatives. We are called to show God’s love, mercy, and goodness to a watching world. We are His hands and feet.
• We are set apart for good works. The Bible says, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). Our lives have a divine purpose.
• We are set apart to belong to His family. We are brought into a community of other believers—other saints—to support, encourage, and love one another.

This is our new reality as saints. We have been chosen, redeemed, and given a mission.

Can a Regular Person Like Me Really Be a Saint?

I hope by now the answer is becoming clear. A resounding, grace-filled YES!

The most beautiful thing about the biblical definition of a saint is that it has nothing to do with how “regular” or “irregular” you are. It has everything to do with the extraordinary work of Jesus Christ.

If there’s any doubt left, just look at the people Paul called saints. The church in Corinth was a mess. It was full of division, spiritual immaturity, and all sorts of moral problems. And yet, what did Paul call them right at the beginning of his letter? “Saints.”

He didn’t say, “To the messed-up people in Corinth who need to get their act together.” He addressed them by their true identity in Christ. He reminded them of who they were so they could start living like it.

I look at my own life—my flaws, my fears, my struggles—and I often think, “Me? A saint?” It feels almost arrogant to say. But the truth from the Bible isn’t based on my feelings or my performance. It’s based on a promise. The answer is ‘yes,’ not because of who I am, but because of whose I am. I belong to Jesus, and He has called me a saint.

What Is the Difference Between a Saint and a Disciple?

This is a great question that helps clarify our roles. The terms are closely related, but they describe two different aspects of our relationship with God.

• Saint is our identity. It’s who we are in Christ. It’s a noun. A title given to us by God based on His grace. It is our position.
• Disciple is our vocation. It’s what we do as followers of Christ. It’s a verb in practice. It describes the active, lifelong journey of learning from Jesus, following Him, and becoming more like Him. It is our practice.

Every saint is called to be a disciple. Our identity as saints is the foundation that empowers us to live as disciples. You don’t become a saint by being a good disciple; you are able to be a disciple because you are already a saint.

How Should Knowing You Are a Saint Change How You Live?

This truth isn’t just a piece of theological trivia. It’s meant to fundamentally change the way you see yourself and the way you live your life. It’s not about puffing out your chest with pride. In fact, it should do the opposite. It should fill you with profound humility and a deep sense of gratitude.

Knowing you are a saint—set apart by the Creator of the universe—should give you a quiet confidence and a firm foundation, especially when you fail.

Does Being a Saint Mean I Have to Be Perfect?

Absolutely not. If perfection were the requirement, there would be no saints. Not then, and not now. Sainthood is the starting line of the Christian life, not the finish line.

God knows we are imperfect. That’s why He gave us His grace. The journey of a saint is one of repentance and reliance. We stumble, we get back up, and we lean on God’s strength, not our own. Our identity as saints is secure, even when our walk is shaky. That security is what gives us the freedom to grow without the constant fear of being disqualified.

For those who want to dive deeper into the original language, Dallas Theological Seminary offers a helpful look at the theology of sainthood and what it means to be consecrated by God. It reinforces this beautiful idea that our holiness comes from Him.

How Can I Live Out My Identity as a Saint Today?

Living as a saint isn’t about grand, heroic gestures. It’s about small, daily choices to lean into your true identity.

• Start with Belief: When you feel like a failure, remind yourself of the truth. Say it out loud: “I am a saint, not because I am good, but because God is good.” Your identity is secure.
• Live in Grace: When you sin, confess it and receive the forgiveness that is already yours in Christ. Don’t let guilt and shame define you. Let God’s grace redefine you.
• Love the Other Saints: Look at your fellow believers not as flawed people who annoy you, but as fellow saints who are on the same journey. Extend the same grace to them that God has extended to you.
• Embrace Your Purpose: Ask God, “How can I live as your ‘set-apart one’ at my job today? In my family? In my neighborhood?” Look for the good works He has already prepared for you to do.

What About the Saints Mentioned in the Old Testament?

The word “saints” or “holy ones” does appear in the Old Testament, but it’s often used in a slightly different context. Sometimes it refers to angelic beings in heaven (Psalm 89:5-7). Other times, it refers to the people of Israel as God’s chosen, set-apart nation (Daniel 7:18).

The Old Testament laid the groundwork. It established the principle that God sets apart a people for Himself. The New Testament shows the glorious fulfillment of this principle. Through Jesus, this invitation to be one of God’s “holy ones” was extended to people from every nation, tribe, and tongue who would put their faith in Him.

The definition became sharper, clearer, and more personal. It became the identity for the church, the global family of believers.

So, the next time you hear the word “saint,” I hope you can push away the image of a distant, perfect figure in a stained-glass window. That’s a beautiful tradition, but it’s not the beautiful truth of the gospel.

The truth is that a saint is a believer. A forgiven person. A work in progress. A child of God who has been set apart for a divine purpose.

Don’t look up at a statue. Look in the mirror. Look at the person next to you in church. See a person who, despite their flaws and struggles, has been washed clean by Jesus and is called by God Himself, “My saint.” That is a truth that can, and should, change everything.

Frequently Asked Questions – What Is a Saint in the Bible