Fathers

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What the Fathers say

2 Corinthians 4:12

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

"So then death worketh in us, but life in you." Speaking no more of death in the strict sense, but of trials and of rest. 'For we indeed,' he says, 'are in perils and trials, but ye in rest; reaping the life which is the fruit of these perils. And we indeed endure the dangerous, but ye enjoy the good things; for ye undergo not so great trials.'

Homily 9 on 2 Corinthians ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

He calls death here temptations, saying: we are in dangers, while you enjoy the life that flows from these dangers, namely through the preaching of the Gospel to you, through which you live eternal life.

Commentary on 2 Corinthians ↗

Western Saints

Thomas Aquinas

What results from this is mentioned when he continues, so death is at work, i.e., exercises its sway, in us, but life, namely, the present one, works in you, because you live in prosperity: "We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong" (1 Cor. 4:10). And death works in us a great good, namely, the attainment of spiritual life: "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints" (Ps. 116:15). …

Commentary on 2 Corinthians ↗