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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
"Wherefore we faint not; but though our outward man is decaying, yet the inward man is renewed day by day." How does it decay? Being scourged, being persecuted, suffering ten thousand extremities. "Yet the inward man is renewed day by day." How is it renewed? By faith, by hope, by a forward will, finally, by braving those extremities. For in proportion as the body suffers ten thousand things, in the like proportion hath the soul goodlier hopes and becometh brighter, like gold refined in the fire more and more. …
Theophylact of Ohrid
Since, he says, we know the power of God and that God will now deliver us from dangers, and afterwards will raise us up glorified, we do not lose heart and do not despair amid sufferings. Further — the "outer man," that is, the body, wastes away. In what way? When it endures beatings and persecutions. But the "inner" man, that is, the spirit and soul, is renewed. In what way? By having good hope and boldness, as one who endures and rejoices for the sake of God.
Desert Fathers
Syncletica also said, 'If you are troubled by illness, do not be miserable, even if you are so ill that you cannot stand to pray or use your voice to say psalms. We need these tribulations to destroy the desires of our body; they serve the same purpose as fasting and austerity. If your senses are dulled by illness, you do not need to fast. In the same way that a powerful medicine cures an illness, so illness itself is a medicine to cure passion. A great deal is gained spiritually by bearing illness quietly and giving thanks to God. …
Western Saints
Thomas Aquinas
Having mentioned the patience which the Apostle showed in tribulations and manifested the reward they expected, he then treats of the cause of patience and the mode or reason for patience. In regard to this he does three things. First, he hints at the patience of the saints; secondly, the cause of patience (v. 16b); thirdly, the reward of patience (v. 17). In regard to the first he intends to show that the patience of the saints is unconquerable. …
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