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Translation
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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
"Yea, and all those that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." But why, he says, should I speak only of myself? Each one that will live godly will be persecuted. Here he calls afflictions and sorrows, "persecutions," for it is not possible that a man pursuing the course of virtue should not be exposed to grief, tribulation, and temptations. For how can he escape it who is treading in the strait and narrow way, and who has heard, that "in the world ye shall have tribulation"? (John xvi. …
Theophylact of Ohrid
And in this there is very great consolation. What am I saying, the apostle continues, about myself alone? All who desire to live piously and according to the Gospel will be persecuted. By persecutions the apostle here means not only pursuit by unbelievers, but also simply the sorrows and griefs to which those walking the path of virtue are subjected. For human life is a trial, as Job says, and whoever walks the narrow path necessarily suffers.
Oecumenius
And all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. And what am I saying about myself? For all who desire to live piously will be persecuted, Paul says, persecution not only from the idolaters but also tribulations and temptations. For the way of life is narrow and afflicted. (Matt. 7:14) in Christ Jesus. For this alone is a godly life, the one in Christ Jesus. will be persecuted. Such is the nature of things. …
Western Saints
Augustine of Hippo
Persecution, therefore, will never be lacking. For, when our enemies from without leave off raging and there ensues a span of tranquillity—even of genuine tranquillity and great consolation at least to the weak—we are not without enemies within, the many whose scandalous lives wound the hearts of the devout.… So it is that those who want to live piously in Christ must suffer the spiritual persecution of these and other aberrations in thought and morals, even when they are free from physical violence and vexation.
Leo the Great
But I am surprised, beloved, that you are so disturbed by opposition in consequence of offences, from whatever cause arising, as to say you would rather be relieved of the labours of your bishopric, and live in quietness and ease than continue in the office committed to you. But since the Lord says, "blessed is he who shall persevere unto the end," whence shall come this blessed perseverance, except from the strength of patience? …
Bede
Paul permeated the corpus of his writings, which is made up of fourteen letters, with the aroma of Christ alone, if I may speak of Christ in this way. Whatever you read there either reveals the hidden mysteries of the faith, or shows the results of good works, or promises the joys of the heavenly kingdom, or lays bare the tribulations he sustained in preaching these things, or relates the divine consolation he received in the midst of his tribulations or suggests by a general exhortation that all "those who wish to live a good life …
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