Saints

“Saint” seems to be the apostle Paul’s favorite name for Christians. He used it 39 times to describe faithful followers of Jesus:

Romans 1:7 To all who are in Roman, loved by God, called as saints. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 8:27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because he intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
Romans 12:13 Share with the saints in their needs; pursue hospitality.
Romans 15:25 Right now I am traveling to Jerusalem to serve the saints
Romans 15:26 because Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem
Romans 15:31 Pray that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea, that my ministry to Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints
Romans 16:2 So you should welcome her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints and assist her in whatever matter she may require your help.
Romans 16:15 Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them.
1 Corinthians 1:2 To the church of God at Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called as saints, with all those in every place who call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord
1 Corinthians 6:1 If any of you has a dispute against another, how dare you take it to court before the unrighteous, and not before the saints?
1 Corinthians 6:2 Or don’t you know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the trivial cases?
1 Corinthians 14:3 since God is not a God of disorder but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints,
1 Corinthians 16:1 Now about the collection for the saints: Do the same as I instructed the Galatian churches.
1 Corinthians 16: 5 Brothers and sisters, you know the household of Stephanas: They are the firstfruits of Achaia and have devoted themselves to serving the saints
2 Corinthians 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will, and Timothy our brother: To the church of God at Corinth, with all the saints who are throughout Achaia.
2 Corinthians 8:4 they begged us earnestly for the privilege of sharing in the ministry to the saints,
2 Corinthians 9:1 Now concerning the ministry to the saints, it is unnecessary for me to write to you.
2 Corinthians 9:12 For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.
2 Corinthians 13:12 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints send you greetings.
Ephesians 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will: To the faithful saints in Christ Jesus at Ephesus.
Ephesians 1:15 This is why, since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints,
Ephesians 1:18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you may know what is the hope of his calling, what is the wealth of his glorious inheritance in the saints
Ephesians 2:19 So then you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with the saints, and members of God’s household,
Ephesians 3:8 This grace was given to me—the least of all the saints—to proclaim to the Gentiles the incalculable riches of Christ,
Ephesians 3:18 That you may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the length and width, height and depth of God’s love,
Ephesians 4:12 equipping the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ,
Ephesians 5:3 But sexual immorality and any impurity or greed should not even be heard of among you, as is proper for saints
Ephesians 6:18 Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints
Philippians 1:1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus: To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons.
Philippians 4:21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me send you greetings.
Philippians 4:22 All the saints send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household.
Colossians 1:2 To the saints in Christ at Colossae, who are faithful brothers and sisters. Grace to you and peace from God our Father.
Colossians 1:4 for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints
Colossians 1:12 giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the saints’ inheritance in the light.
Colossians 1:26 the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints.
1 Thessalonians 3:13 May he make your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints. Amen.
2 Thessalonians 1:10 on that day when he comes to be glorified by his saints and to be marveled at by all those who have believed, because our testimony among you was believed.
1 Timothy 5:10 that is, if she has brought up children, shown hospitality, washed the saints’ feet, helped the afflicted, and devoted herself to every good work.
Philemon 5 because I hear of your love for all the saints and the faith that you have in the Lord Jesus.
Philimon 7 For I have great joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.

The name, “saints” is also used prominently for faithful witnesses of Christ in the book of Revelation.

Revelation 5:8 When he took the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and golden bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
Revelation 8:3 Another angel, with a golden incense burner, came and stood at the altar. He was given a large amount of incense to offer with the prayers of all the saintson the golden altar in front of the throne.
Revelation 8:4 The smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up in the presence of God from the angel’s hand.
Revelation 11:18 The nations were angry, but your wrath has come. The time has come for the dead to be judged and to give the reward to your servants the prophets, to the saints, and to those who fear your name, both small and great, and the time has come to destroy those who destroy the earth.
Revelation 13:7 And it was permitted to wage war against the saintsand to conquer them. It was also given authority over every tribe, people, language, and nation.
Revelation 13:10 If anyone is to be taken captive, into captivity he goes. If anyone is to be killed with a sword, with a sword he will be killed. This calls for endurance and faithfulness from the saints.
Revelation 14:12 This calls for endurance from the saints, who keep God’s commands and their faith in Jesus.”
Revelation 16:6 Because they poured out the blood of the saintsand the prophets, you have given them blood to drink; they deserve it!
Revelation 17:6 Then I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of the saintsand with the blood of the witnesses to Jesus.
Revelation 18:20 Rejoice over her, heaven, and you saints, apostles, and prophets, because God has pronounced on her the judgment she passed on you!
Revelation 18:24 In her was found the blood of prophets and saints, and of all those slaughtered on the earth.
Revelation 19:8 She was given fine linen to wear, bright and pure. For the fine linen represents the righteous acts of the saints.
Revelation 20:9 They came up across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the encampment of the saints, the beloved city.

So what, or more importantly, WHO, is a saint? If you have trusted Jesus, the Eternal Son of God, as your death substitute on the cross and believe that He rose from the dead – YOU are a SAINT. All believers in Christ are saints.

Follow me…as I follow Jesus Christ.