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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
"Wherein I suffer trouble," he says, "as an evil-doer, even unto bonds." Again he introduces consolation and encouragement from himself, and he prepares his hearer's mind with these two things; first, that he should know him to endure hardness; and, secondly, that he did not so but for a useful purpose, for in this case he will gain, in the other will even suffer harm. For what advantage is it, that you can show that a Teacher has exposed himself to hardship, but not for any useful purpose? …
Theophylact of Ohrid
Again he comforts the disciple by his own example, speaking both of how he suffers and of how he has a bad reputation. So that no one would say: what is the benefit of that? And what is so remarkable if you are bound? Show me the advantage, show me something remarkable; the apostle says: the word is not bound. For it is not a material thing that can be stopped when the body is bound. The word is a Divine thing, the word is God's: when we are bound, it is free and extends forward. And so we write and preach, even though we are bound. …
Oecumenius
In which I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal, but the word of God is not imprisoned. Therefore, I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain salvation, which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. in which I suffer hardship. The afflictions of Paul reveal the truth of the Gospel. even to imprisonment as a criminal. For who, indeed, would choose to suffer such things unless preaching the truth, and about whom he would not be made altogether more certain? …
Western Saints
Ambrose of Milan
Hence, it is also said to the soul: Your youth will be renewed like the eagle's. For he was speaking to the soul, saying: Bless the Lord, O my soul. And therefore it hurries to the Word, and asks to be drawn, lest it be left behind; for the Word of God runs and is not hindered.
Thomas Aquinas
Wherein I labor even unto bands: he cites himself as an example of martyrdom. He states that there are three things in its pain: bitterness, shame, and constancy. Bitterness, when he says, wherein, namely, in preaching the Gospel; or for which I labor, i.e., am afflicted even unto bands: because when he wrote this epistle, he was in Rome in bands: to make known the mystery of the Gospel, for which I am an ambassador in a chain (Eph 6:19). …
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