The term "saintly" is often used to describe individuals who exhibit holiness, virtue, and a life dedicated to God. In the context of the Bible, the concept of saintliness is closely associated with the idea of being set apart for God's purposes, living a life that reflects His character, and being part of the community of believers.

Biblical Foundation

The word "saint" is derived from the Greek word "hagios," which means "holy" or "set apart." In the New Testament, believers in Christ are frequently referred to as saints, indicating their status as those who are sanctified and consecrated to God. This is not limited to a select few but applies to all who have faith in Jesus Christ.

In the Old Testament, the concept of holiness is central to the identity of God's people. Leviticus 19:2 states, "Speak to the entire congregation of the Israelites and tell them: ‘Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.’" This call to holiness is echoed in the New Testament, where believers are urged to live lives that reflect God's holiness.

Characteristics of Saintliness

1. Holiness and Purity: Saintliness involves a commitment to holiness and purity, both in thought and action. 1 Peter 1:15-16 exhorts believers, "But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'"

2. Love and Compassion: A saintly life is marked by love and compassion for others. Jesus taught that love is the greatest commandment, as seen in Matthew 22:37-39 : "Jesus declared, 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"

3. Humility and Service: Saintliness is characterized by humility and a willingness to serve others. Philippians 2:3-4 instructs, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."

4. Faithfulness and Obedience: A saintly person is faithful to God and obedient to His commands. Hebrews 11, often referred to as the "Faith Hall of Fame," highlights the faithfulness of many biblical figures who lived saintly lives.

5. Perseverance in Trials: Saintliness involves perseverance through trials and suffering, maintaining faith and integrity. James 1:12 states, "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him."

The Community of Saints

The New Testament frequently refers to the collective body of believers as "saints." This communal aspect emphasizes that saintliness is not just an individual pursuit but a shared identity among those who follow Christ. Ephesians 2:19 describes believers as "fellow citizens with the saints and members of God’s household."

Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in the sanctification process, empowering believers to live saintly lives. Galatians 5:22-23 lists the fruit of the Spirit, which includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—qualities that are integral to saintliness.

Conclusion

The concept of saintliness in the Bible encompasses a life dedicated to holiness, love, humility, faithfulness, and perseverance. It is both an individual and communal calling, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and reflects the transformative work of God in the lives of believers.(superl.) Like a saint; becoming a holy person.6035. anav -- poor, afflicted, humble, meek
... intermixture with aniy) Aanayv {aw-nawv'}; from anah; depressed (figuratively),
in mind (gentle) or circumstances (needy, especially saintly) -- humble, lowly ...
/hebrew/6035.htm - 6k

How Saintly Men Cannot be Hard and Obstinate.
... The Conferences of John Cassian. Chapter XXVI. How saintly men cannot
be hard and obstinate. Nor must we emit the value of that ...
/.../cassian/the conferences of john cassian/chapter xxvi how saintly men.htm

Yet Wonderful and Beyond Measure Useful was the Work of this ...
... Yet wonderful and beyond measure useful was the work of this saintly
man in holy? Yet wonderful and beyond measure useful was ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/rolle/the fire of love/lection vi yet wonderful and.htm

The Rival Empresses --Pulcheria and Eudocia
... cloister. All males, except saintly men who had forgotten the distinction
of sexes, were excluded from the holy threshold. Pulcheria ...
/.../brittain/women of early christianity/x the rival empressespulcheria and.htm

Epiphanius Intervenes
... that Chrysostom was a reprobate. How saintly the Patriarch's life had
been was known to all. No human being attached importance ...
/.../chapter xliv epiphanius intervenes.htm

As Regards Our Reverend Friend Epiphanius, this is Strange ...
... doctrines! He stands forth as the enemy of God and of the church." This
is the testimony which this saintly man bears to you. This ...
/.../23 as regards our reverend.htm

You Observe How He Treats Ambrose. First, He Calls Him a Crow and ...
... The saintly Ambrose wrote his book on the Holy Spirit not in words only but with
his own blood; for he offered his life-blood to his persecutors, and shed it ...
/.../25 you observe how he.htm

Paul, the Teacher of Prayer
... He was one of the fellow-workers with Wesley and a man of most saintly character. ...
Widowhood is a great sorrow. It comes to saintly women as well as to others. ...
/.../bounds/prayer and praying men/xii paul the teacher of.htm

For what Reason all the Heavenly Beings are Called, in Common ...
... it does not possess the highest powers, but, as it conducts our inspired Hierarchs
to the splendours of the Godhead known to it; so also, the saintly powers of ...
/.../dionysius/on the heavenly hierarchy/caput v for what reason.htm

Fragrance.
... FRAGRANCE. Every saintly life on earth, is a sweet fragrance unto God,
and every sinful life is a stench in his nostrils. As the ...
/.../orr/food for the lambs or helps for young christians/fragrance.htm

How St Francis Delivered the Brother Who, Being in Sin, had Fallen ...
... The brother, much alarmed, and seeing that his saintly father had penetrated into
his deepest thoughts, confessed the evil feeling which had entered into his ...
/.../the little flowers of st francis of assisi/chapter xxiii how st francis.htm

Saintly (7 Occurrences)
...Saintly (7 Occurrences). Titus 1:8 but hospitable to strangers, a lover of goodness,
sober-minded, upright, saintly, self-controlled; (WEY). ...
/s/saintly.htm - 8k

Saint (5 Occurrences)

/s/saint.htm - 9k

Vision (106 Occurrences)
... peoples and superstitious natures, it still remains true that the experience is
one associated with lives and characters of the most saintly and exalted kind ...
/v/vision.htm - 45k

Octave (3 Occurrences)
... octave. -- A Psalm of David. Save, Jehovah, for the saintly hath failed,
For the stedfast have ceased From the sons of men: (YLT). ...
/o/octave.htm - 7k

Luke (4 Occurrences)
... called "the Gospel of the nations, full of mercy and hope, assured to the world
by the love of a suffering Saviour;" "the Gospel of the saintly life;" "the ...
/l/luke.htm - 55k

Givest (31 Occurrences)
... (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS). Psalms 16:10 For Thou dost not leave my soul to Sheol,
Nor givest thy saintly one to see corruption. (YLT). ...
/g/givest.htm - 15k

Witch (2 Occurrences)
... events. It is not to be credited that the saintly Samuel was actually summoned
from his rest by the spells of a professional diviner. ...
/w/witch.htm - 24k

En-dor (3 Occurrences)
... events. It is not to be credited that the saintly Samuel was actually summoned
from his rest by the spells of a professional diviner. ...
/e/en-dor.htm - 11k

Endor (3 Occurrences)
... events. It is not to be credited that the saintly Samuel was actually summoned
from his rest by the spells of a professional diviner. ...
/e/endor.htm - 12k

Angelic (6 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Holy; saintly; of or derived from angelica; as, angelic
acid; angelic ether; Alt. of Angelical. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/a/angelic.htm - 8k

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