A holy person, a friend of God, either on earth or in heaven, Deuteronomy 33:2. It is sometimes used of the pious Israelites, as Psalms 16:3 34:9. Nothing is more frequent in Paul than the name of saints given to all Christians, Romans 1:7 8:27 12:13 15:25,31 16:2. In this acceptation it continued during the early ages of Christianity; nor was it applied to individuals declared to be saints by any other act of the church than admission to its membership, till various corruptions had depraved the primitive principles. The church of Rome assumes the power of making saints; that is, of announcing certain departed spirits as objects of worship, from whom the faithful may solicit favors-a notion worthy of the dark ages in which it originated.

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.

SAINT, n. L. sanctus.

1. A person sanctified; a holy or godly person; one eminent for piety and virtue. It is particularly applied to the apostles and other holy persons mentioned in Scripture. A hypocrite may imitate a saint. Ps. 16.

2. One of the blessed in heaven. Rev. 18.

3. The holy angels are called saint. Deut. 33. Jude 14.

4. One canonized by the church of Rome.

SAINT, v.t. To number or enroll among saints by an official act of the pope; to canonize.

Over against the church stands a large hospital, erected by a shoemaker who has been beautified, though never sainted.

SAINT, v.i. To act with a show of piety.