Saint

Saint

one separated from the world and consecrated to God; one holy by profession and by covenant; a believer in Christ ( Psalms 16:3 ; Romans 1:7 ; 8:27 ; Phil 1:1 ; Hebrews 6:10 ).

The "saints" spoken of in Jude 1:14 are probably not the disciples of Christ, but the "innumerable company of angels" ( Hebrews 12:22 ; Psalms 68:17 ), with reference to Deuteronomy 33:2 .

This word is also used of the holy dead ( Matthew 27:52 ; Revelation 18:24 ). It was not used as a distinctive title of the apostles and evangelists and of a "spiritual nobility" till the fourth century. In that sense it is not a scriptural title.

These dictionary topics are from
M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition,
published by Thomas Nelson, 1897. Public Domain, copy freely.

Bibliography Information

Easton, Matthew George. "Entry for Saint". "Easton's Bible Dictionary". .