BIBLICAL UNDERSTANDING OF TRUE SAINTS

Philippians 4:20-23

November 1, 2026 – SUNDAY

     In this last part of Paul’s letter to the Philippians, he mentioned the phrases “every saint” (v.21) and “All the saints” (v.22). May God helps us to learn the truth about who is the true saints according to the Bible.

    When people hear the word saint today, their minds usually go to a few specific, culturally prominent images rather than the historical or biblical definition. The meaning of the word saint has drifted from its original Bible definition so that today the mention of the word saint brings many different ideas to our minds. 

• People think of certain city, like San Juan City in the Philippines is named after Saint John the Baptist
• People think of a large dog, like Saint Berbard
• People think of a school or universities, like University of Saint Anthony (my high school in Iriga City, Bicol); University of Santo Tomas, in Philippines
• People think of town, like in the Philippines (San Jose, Nueva Ecija – named after Saint Joseph), or Santo Tomas

Batangas (named after Saint Thomas Aquinas) or San Miguel, Bulacan, or San Fernando, Pampanga (named after Saint Ferdinand III of Castile) 

• People think of chapel, like Sta Quiteria (in Caloocan Philippines)
• People think of a hospital, like Saint Luke, (in Philippines)
• People think of a sport teams, like New Orleans Saints (NFL football team)
• People think of a river, like (San Juan River, in Metro manila)
• People think of Canonized historical figures, like Mother Teresa, Saint Francis of Assisi, or Saint Augustine,

(officially recognized and canonized by the Catholic, Orthodox, or Anglican churches due to their heroic virtue or miracles).

implying that a saint is someone who never sins, with patience, lives a life of extreme self-denial)

     What is Canonization?

The Roman Catholic Church declared many different people, martyrs and church men to be saints through a process called canonization throughout the centuries. There were changes the procedure made by John Paul II in 1983. 

The Roman Catholic path to sainthood involves four primary steps managed by the Vatican and local dioceses: 

virtues, and writings, usually starting five years after their death (though the Pope can waive this wait, as with St. Mother Teresa). 

the findings for the candidate; if approved, the Pope declares the person "Venerable" as to be elevated with respect or for living a heroically virtuous life. 

healing that science cannot explain) attributed to that candidate. Since, according to Roman Catholic teaching, miracles are proof that a person is in heaven and can intercede for us. The miracle must then take place after the candidate’s death, and according to Roman Catholic teaching, as a result of a specific prayer or petition to the candidate.

As of today, there are more than 10,000 individuals that the Roman Church declared to be saints. And none of us here today are included on that list, of course you know why.

     As a Filipino, I am wondering that in spite of millions of my countrymen, why only two are considered Filipino saints. 

The two Filipino canonized saints by the Catholic church:

Canonization: Beatified in Manila in 1981 by Pope John Paul II and canonized on October 18, 1987, at St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City, making him the first Filipino saint. 

Canonization: Beatified by Pope John Paul II in 2000 and canonized on October 21, 2012, by Pope Benedict XVI

Let us now have a different description of a saint that is a Bible saint. 

     The Original Biblical Definition: In contrast to modern perceptions, the New Testament uses the Greek word “hagios” 

(translated literally as "consecrated ones" or "holy one"), which literally means "set apart" (referring to people separated from the world) or "consecrated”. In the Bible, the term “saint” does not refer to a deceased, canonized elite person or someone who has reached a state of moral perfection or earned a special title. Instead, it is used as a present-tense description for all living believers in Jesus Christ. 

     True saints are not superheroes of the Christian faith. True saints are those who have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.  True saints are not declared so by decree of a church, but only by the grace of God. 

     What is the Biblical understanding of True Saints

I – THE EXHIBITION OF A HOLY CHARACTER – v.21

Philippians 4:21 “Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you.”

     Notice the familiar Pauline phrase “in Christ Jesus”, emphasizes the believer’s union with Christ. The Philippians were holy (saints), not through any merit of their own, but because they were in Christ Jesus in Christ Jesus also emphasizes the important truth that every saint is in vital union with Christ.

     Take the New Testament illustration of the body. As Paul says to the Corinthians (I Corinthians 12:27 “Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.”, In the fourth chapter of this Epistle to the Ephesians, he uses the same analogy. He says that Christians, who form the Church, are built up like a body. Paul says, (Ephesians 4:15–16 “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: ¹⁶ From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.”). So, to be a Christian means, not only that you are a believer in Christ, outside Him; you are a believer because you are the body of Christ, joined to Christ, you are ‘in Him.’

     We are in a permanent new position in Christ, when we repented from our sins and received Christ by faith as our Savior, and we have been washed redeemed and forgiven by His blood, so we are clothed with righteousness of Jesus Christ imputed to us (II Corinthians 5:21 “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”, and now stands holy, without blemish before the Father. That is now our position in Christ.

     The Holy Spirit setting apart for God the sinner who has been saved, taking him out of the first Adam and placing him in the Last Adam (Romans 5:12 “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:”; 1 Corinthians 15:22 “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”). This is positional sanctification; an act performed once (justification) for all the moment the sinner places his faith in the Lord Jesus as his Saviour. 

     Positional Sanctification (Status): At conversion, a believer is declared holy and righteous before God not by personal merit, but through the finished work of Christ (Hebrews 10:10; 1 Corinthians 1:30). In Scripture, every true believer is a saint by calling. 

     The sainthood is not earned or based on man’s own achievement, is not based on moral quality or a person’s virtue, but sainthood is what Jesus Christ sacrificially done for us, His substitutionary death for us sinners, and imputed His righteousness to us that we might be justified, and now stand wholly in Christ.

     A Buddhist does not speak of himself as in Buddha, nor does a Muslim speak of himself as in Mohammed. A Christian Scientist is not in Mary Baker Eddy or a Mormon in Joseph Smith or Brigham Young. They may faithfully follow the teaching and example of those religious leaders, but they are not in them. Only Christians can claim to be in their Lord, because they have been made spiritually one with Him (MacArthur).

     Paul used his favorite term “saint” for Christians, and that term appearing some 40 times in the epistles. It was common for Paul to address New Testament believers as saints not just here at the end of the letter, but even at the beginning of the letter. For example, the Apostle Paul routinely addressed his letters to the ordinary, flawed people making up local churches—calling them the "saints" 

• Ephesus (Ephesians 1:1 “to the saints which are at Ephesus,”), 
• Philippi (Philippians 1:1 “to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi”; Philippians 4:21-22 “Salute every

saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you. ²² All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar's household.”)

• Rome (Romans 1:7 “To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints”)
• Colossae (Colossians 1:2 “To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse”)
• Corinth (I Corinthians 1:2 “Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus,

called to be saints”; II Corinthians 1:1 “unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints”)

     Notice interestingly, consider the Corinthians church who were called by Paul saints, in spite they were carnal, they were the most troubled church, the most sin-plagued church in the NT, but Paul addressed them as those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, and saints by calling.     

     From a biblical standpoint, sainthood is about a person's position in Christ rather than their level of spiritual performance.

(I Corinthians 3:1-4 “And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. ² I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. ³ For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? ⁴ For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?”)    

     We are called in Christ Jesus, so we have to exhibit a holy character. 

     Positional sanctification is followed by progressive sanctification, a process that goes on all through the earthly life of the Christian....in which that person is being gradually conformed to the image of the Lord Jesus. That person is called a “hagios” a person who is "set apart for God" a person who is "consecrated". He is, as such, looked upon as a non-secular person, a distinctively "religious" person, in that he has been set apart for God’s worship and for God’s service. It is easy to see that this set apart position of separateness demands a separation of life in his experience, separation from the age system of evil, separation in his own sphere of life from everything that would interfere in the least from the worship and service which is due to the God to Whom he is set apart. 

     If you are a believer, this "address" IN CHRIST JESUS describes your permanent position. But does "in Christ Jesus" also describe your practical daily experience? It can if we learn to depend on the indwelling Spirit of Christ! In fact, the only way to practice this position in Christ Jesus is by daily relying on His supernatural enabling power. That means we need to continually be filled with (controlled by, empowered by) His Spirit (Ephesians 5:18). The Spirit will give us both the desire and the power to live out the Christ life ("in Christ Jesus") that is why Paul explained in Philippians writing in (Philippians 2:13 “For it is God (Holy Spirit) which (continually) worketh in you (continually)both to will (desire) and to do 

     As a saint, we are practically separated to God from sin for holy purposes, and that is the practice of our position. This is carried from the Old Testament. The Old Testament Hebrew word is “Kadosh” which means to be separated unto. The Greek New Testament word is “hagios”, which is applicable to anything that is dedicated to a God, and in this instance consecrated to a holy God for a holy purposes. 

     Paul wrote to Timothy and said, II Timothy 2:21 “If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.” We find the word “sanctified” and useful for the master prepared for every good work. 

     Being a saint positionally means God has set a believer apart as holy once-for-all through union with Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 1:2), while being called to be a saint describes the ongoing, practical responsibility to live out that identity in daily conduct. Again, if a person is called to be saint in Christ positionally, then that person will demonstrate or exhibit in his conduct that Christian character as one separated from sin unto God.

     A Believer whose conduct is totally separated unto God may earn a good reputation both morally and spiritually, so people speak highly something about that believer’s godly living.  

     Progressive Sanctification (Practice): Because a believer has been set apart to God, there is a consistent scriptural mandate to turn away from sin and let daily behavior reflect that holy status (1 Peter 1:14–16 “As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: ¹⁵ But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; ¹⁶ Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”; Ephesians 5:3). 

     As the believer makes progress in his sanctification, that believer might become described by others as saintly. We must be careful when we say “she or he is such a saint,” because some people think of about the origin of the worship of saints. God forbade all prayers and worship to any being but worship or honor that belongs to God alone should never be transferred to a human. Therefore, when we revere or venerate a person who has holy conduct separated unto God, sometimes we commit mistake by identifying that someone as a saint because of their personal conduct but the bible reminds us in verse 20 says Philippians 4:20 “Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” That is why saints are not to be worshipped, that is great wrong belief of Roman Catholic for past centuries. Again, only God receives the glory and saints are not to be worshipped but rather they are people who worship,

II – THE EXPRESSION OF A DOXOLOGICAL CHARACTER

Philippians 4:20 “Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

     The word “doxology” comes from two Greek words “Doxa” means glory and “Logos” means word. So, doxology is a word of glory. Doxology is an expression of praise and adoration that speaks glory to God.

     Paul's doxology flows out of his abundant joy in this Philippians epistle and it should also be our continuous response to the ever-present, inexhaustible riches bestowed upon us by our Father in and through Christ Jesus our Lord!

     We don’t wonder that Paul closes this beautiful passage with a doxology. The glory of God's providential care must always be recognized by his children. Even the eternal ages yet to come will not be sufficient to exhaust the praises that belong to Him. The expression of praise is the language of spiritual instinct, which cannot be stop. Let the child realize its relation to the Father who feeds it, clothes it, and keeps it in life, who enlightens and guides it, pardons and purifies it, strengthens and upholds it, and all this in Christ Jesus, and it cannot but in its glowing consciousness cry out “Now to God and our Father be the glory for ever.” 

     In verse 20, Paul is calling the saints in Philippi or even the saints in Baesa, to that doxology because biblical saints express doxological worship to God alone and not giving veneration to one another.

     Here are some Bible doxologies:

his judgments, and his ways past finding out! ³⁴ For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? ³⁵ Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? ³⁶ For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.”

according to the power that worketh in us, ²¹ Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”

3. Galatians 1:5 “To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”
4. I Timothy 1:17 “Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever

and ever. Amen.”

However, based on Philippians 4:20, that phrase “forever and ever” literally it is throughout all ages without end, where we will stand around the throne and express our doxological worship for Him forever and ever as biblical saints.

If you notice each verses given concludes with an “Amen”. The term “Amen” affirms the truth and the character of God to his glory. That is the point here, every real saints should do everything for the glory of God. The Psalmist declares in Psalm 78:19 “And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen.”

     Idolatry is more hateful to God than any other sins. Man creates idols they assume and worships as a substitute for the true God. Men are guilty of the sinful act of bowing and kneeling before the visible objects for adoration. 

     Then these People changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man and corruptible creatures - Romans 1:23 “And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.”; but the Lord said He will not give His glory to another, neither His praise to graven images -Isaiah 42:8 “I am the Lord: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.” God gets all the glory. He will not share His glory with another.

    The heathen will worship false images, the hedonist will worship himself, the heretic will worship a false doctrine, but the biblical saints worship God in spirit and in truth forever (John 4:24 “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”). Revelation 5:13 and Revelation 4:9–11 describe every creature and elder in heaven worshiping God and the Lamb forever and ever. Revelation 5:13 “And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.”; Revelation 4:9-11 “And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,

¹⁰ The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, ¹¹ Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”

     Paul said in I Corinthians 10:31 “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” That’s the way the biblical saints should express our doxological character, giving him all the glory belongs only to Him.

III – THE EXTENSION OF THE PERSONAL FELLOWSHIP – v. 21-22 

Philippians 4:21-22 “Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you.²² All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar's household.”

     In this conclusion of Paul’s letter to the Philippians, we find it to be instructive to us as there is an exchange of greeting between the saints of God in Rome and the saints in Philippi. 

     We see the greeting between the saints in Rome and the saints in Philippi which we see the extended fellowship of the real saints who were brethren in Christ.

     Three times in these two final verses we read the word “greets” or “salute”. The word “Greet” in Greek “aspazomai” means to enfold in one's arms and so to welcome and embrace another. Give each other a "holy hug" is the idea! We do not think that a person can be a Christian who has no knowledge nor care about his fellow church-members.

     Notice the word “every” or “all the saints” in Greek “pas” means all without exception. Paul was concerned for every saint in Christ Jesus, not just his close personal friends. So, it is not surprising God used Paul so mightily. 

     We see Paul's interest to each believer individually, and is an expression of personal affection. None is to be treated differently from any other. In a church troubled by disunity the apostle does not single out any one individual and does not "take sides".

     Paul is addressing the believers, the church leadership, and extending a greeting to them from himself and from the saints who are with him. 

     Paul is not writing a casual or business letter, but he is writing to a church family whom he dearly loves and has experienced partnership. “Koinonia” a personal fellowship present in spiritual relationship among saints in Christ Jesus.

     Wherever we are, in Bible and missions’ conferences, in camp, bible seminar, we find the extended personal fellowship with other true saints. So, there is personal relationship with each saint and fellowship with all the saints and partnership in the gospel ministry with the saints, not because of our church, Messiah Baptist Church of Baesa but because of Jesus Christ we are all as saints. We enjoy having fellowship with fellow true saints.       

IV – THE EXPERIENCE OF SPIRITUAL JOY – v. 22

Philippians 4:22 “All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar's household.”

     The word “Saints” (in Greek “hagios”) refers to members of the Body of Christ, the church at Rome, not to an elite group of men or women who have been granted sainthood by other men. God grants sainthood to EVERY ONE of His children, to all who by grace through faith believe in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The moment we belief we are set apart from this godless world unto God Himself, Who now owns us as His own possession.

     Since the citizens of Philippi were Roman citizens because Philippi was a Roman colony, therefore it is possible that some of the believers in Rome knew some of the believers in Philippi and vice versa, although probably not that many at all. These believers in Rome were most likely were these strangers, and those in Caesar’s household were most likely not only physical human strangers, they were enemies of the gospel.

     Notice the words “of Caesar's household” is an expression used in ancient Greco-Roman literature to refer both to the highest officials in the Roman government and to the lowest servants in the emperor’s employ. 

     Now, Paul wrote in Philippians 1:12-13 “But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; ¹³ So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places;” Paul’s imprisonment in Rome directly helped spread the Gospel by reaching the imperial praetorian guard and encouraging other believers to share their faith without fear. While Paul was in prison under arrest in Rome, his missionary efforts are bearing fruit, people in Rome are being saved, especially those in Caesar’s household, it indicates more than the immediate family of Caesar, that includes the employees and those government officials of Caesar had been saved. When they got saved? Those in Caesar’s household had come to know Christ during the trials and imprisonment of Paul, so these were saints of Rome and were fellow saints whom the Philippians saints had never met. Although they are distant from each other, they are exciting exchanging greetings because they were fellow saints.     

     Those formerly enemies of the gospel who were now saved in Christ redemption who were in Caesar’s household, become now saints in Christ of Rome would be a source of joy to Paul and to the Philippians saints also.

     When the supported missionaries of our church send letter, showing pictures and telling us the conversion of their contacts around the world, people we don’t know because we never met them, but we rejoice because they are fellow saints with us. When our missionaries send a report about the newly established local churches in far away place, about the salvation of souls and their baptism, those truly brings joy to us. Yes, true saints really experience spiritual joy when we heard the salvation and sanctification of others souls, even though we may never meet them. There is a joy experience by saints for others knowing Christ as their Savior and become fellow saints.

     So, Paul said to his readers in Philippi to greet those who are in Caesar’s household, the fellow saints in Rome. Therefore, we have to greet those fellow saints in the government around the world because they are fellow saints. The point is that the real saints in the Bible experience true spiritual joy at the salvation of others.      

V – THE EXPECTATION OF TRUE RESOURCES – v. 23

SA SIMULA AT PAGTATAPOS NG SULAT NI PABLO AY BINIGYAN DIIN ANG ‘GRACE”      

     We notice that Paul began his letter with introduction back in Philippians 1:2 with the same way he concluded his letter in Philippians 4:23. Paul begins his letter with “grace” and fittingly concludes it with this same rich word “grace.”

Philippians 4:23 “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”

Philippians 1:2 “Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.”

     This conclusion of Paul was common language because he concluded all of his letters with the same way, in his epistles in Romans, I Corinthians, II Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Colossians, I Thessalonians, II Thessalonians, I Timothy, II Timothy, Titus, and Philemon. 

     The point is that “grace” that comes from our Lord Jesus Christ is the resource that all churches need whether it is a 1^st century church or a 21^st century church. God deals with us on the basis of His goodness, His generosity, His grace, not on the basis of our own merit or our own worthiness as a Saint in Christ.

     Note that this passage is in its essence a prayer. In parting from his readers, Paul is praying that the Lord’s grace (God’s transforming, energizing enablement or power to live supernatural, abundant life for His glory) be with them all. Is this not a prayer we should pray for all the saints in Christ?

     Saints expect God’s resource of Grace

     What is God’s grace? Grace is the unmerited favor of that underserved love of God in Christ. We are saints because of God’s grace

2:1,5 “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; ⁵ Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)”.)

• For by grace, we are saved through faith (Ephesians 2:8 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:”)
• We have access by faith into this grace (Romans 5:1-2 “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: ² By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”)

     The word of God teaches that God's grace is sufficient to forgive and save any person who truly repents and places faith in Jesus Christ, regardless of the severity of their past crimes.    

     The Thief on the Cross: In Luke 23:39-43, a criminal executed alongside Jesus acknowledged his guilt, believed in Christ, and was promised paradise that same day without performing prior good works.

     What is sanctifying grace? Sanctifying grace is the ongoing, transformative work of God that purifies believers on the inside and makes them more Christlike.

     The word “sanctify” as it pertains to the life of a Christian means “to set a person apart for holiness” or “to make holy.”

    Believers not only saved by grace but also sustained by grace. Therefore, it is the grace of God that governed, guided, kept, strengthened, sanctified, and enabled us. 

II Corinthians 9:8 “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:” 

     The real saints based from the Bible are not declared by decree of a church, or by highest officials of religious group but are holy because of the grace of God. 

     I now stand now before you as a saint Jojo not because of what I have done, not because of the goodness I performs but only because of the grace of God. I am saved by the saving grace of God by grace through faith not by myself not by my works and I am sanctified by the sanctifying grace of God through the enabling power of the Spirit.

     How about you, are you a saint of God?

     The KJV adds “Amen.” It is true. It is only by God’s grace we are what we are. It is only through the grace that we can be saved and sanctified, living separated from sin unto God, purposely for God’s glory. Amen is an expression of confident and joyful affirmation.