John Chrysostom

"Therefore I endure all things," he says, "for the elect's sake, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory." Behold another incentive. I endure these things, he says, not for myself, but for the salvation of others. It was in my power to have lived free from danger; to have suffered none of these things, if I had consulted my own interest. On what account then do I suffer these things? For the good of others, that others may obtain eternal life. What then dost thou promise thyself? …

Homily on 2 Timothy 4 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

Here is yet another exhortation. It is not for myself, he says, that I endure, but for the salvation of others: not so that I myself may be glorified, but for others. Who then are they? God's chosen ones. Therefore, if God has chosen them, then we must endure all things for their sake. And they, just as we. As God suffered for us, he says, to save us, so we also suffer for them. So this is a recompense, not a gift. Then, lest someone say to him: what are you talking about? …

Commentary on 2 Timothy ↗

Thomas Aquinas

Therefore, I endure all things: he shows the cause; for it is not the pain, but the cause, that makes a martyr. But there are two causes involved in martyrdom: namely, for the honor of God and the salvation of our neighbor. For the honor of God, because for your sake we are put to death all the day long (Rom 8:36); for the salvation of our neighbor, because he says here, for the sake of the elect: greater love than this has no man, that a man lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13); because he has laid down his life for us, we …

Commentary on 2 Timothy ↗