Saints removed

While looking at word change statistics on Robert Slowley's website, I happened to notice that the NIV went from 69 uses of the word "saints" in 1984 to zero uses in 2011. I found that intriguing. I went on Bible Gateway and checked other versions (not all of them, though, but including Wycliffe, Geneva, KJV, ASV, RSV, NASB, CSB, LEB). Many common Bible versions, old & new, have 60 to 100 verses with the word saint or saints, while I found that the NIV and NLT have no instances. So it seems the NLT may be the only other newer Bible to go that direction. These two have several words, such as holy ones, holy people, God's people, and others.

What do you think of this change, and why do you think it was made?

Thanks.

 

I notice that the NABRE almost makes the same decision as the NIV and NLT, retaining “saints” only in Matthew 27:52.

Yes, I was thinking that possibly could be in the background of the reasoning for removing the words. The following quote from “A Word to the Reader” in the TNIV confirms that, I believe, while avoiding mentioning any particular church or denomination.

There is a good bit of confusion about what Catholics actually believe about saints. Some people think they mean an extra-holy person, someone on a much higher level than the average or regular Christian. (When people are thinking that way, I don’t think “holy ones” solves the problem.) However, for Roman Catholics at least, “saints” basically are dead people, not living ones. According to one Catholic website, “In Catholic theology, the term ‘Saint’ is reserved for those individuals who have led a holy and exemplary life and have now entered Heaven.” The NABRE (a Catholic translation) rendering of Matthew 27:52 is consistent with that view. While people may be confused by the word itself, the widespread use of “saints” in English translations for all Christians contradicts the Roman Catholic view of saints. Oddly enough, the Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition (a Catholic Bible) has “saint” or “saints” in 119 verses (including the Apocrypha).

Notes

• Saint and saints is not just used in older translations. For example LEB is © 2012 and CSB © 2017.
• Some versions (CSB, for example) have retained “saints” in the New Testament, but not in the Old.