Romans 12 · a question people ask

"contributing to the needs of the saints" (12:13). Who are the saints here?

In the text

The WEB's Romans has saints in eight verses. The first is the letter's opening greeting, to those it is sent to: "to all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints" (1:7). The others are 8:27, 12:13, 15:25, 15:26, 15:31, 16:2 and 16:15. 12:13 itself names no one more particularly, and says no more about the needs, and these notes don't either.

The verses

“contributing to the needs of the saints, and given to hospitality.”
Romans 12:13 · World English Bible
“to all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Romans 1:7 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Romans 12

Romans 12: A living sacrifice

After the praise that closes chapter 11, Romans 12 urges "by the mercies of God" (12:1). The whole chapter names Christ in one verse: "we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another" (12:5). And it speaks twice of "the grace that was given" (12:3, 12:6).

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Last reviewed October 7, 2026. Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions