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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
This remark is far more piercing than the former, for the remembrance of their miracles would not be so powerful as the exhibition of their contests and endurance of sufferings for Christ's sake. All that you have endured, says he, these men would strip you of, and would rob you of your crown. Then, lest he should dismay and unnerve, he proceeds not to a formal judgment, but subjoins, "if it be indeed in vain;" if you have but a mind to shake off drowsiness and recover yourselves, he says, it is not in vain. …
Theophylact of Ohrid
They struggled through many trials for the sake of Christ. And have you, he says, suffered so much in vain? For if you are circumcised, all of this is in vain, and the deceivers have deprived you of so many crowns. Then, offering them hope of return, he says: "if only it were without benefit," that is, if you wish to come to your senses, then not in vain, not futilely did you labor. Let those who deny repentance be ashamed after this. …
Oecumenius
"you suffered so much in vain." Many had been tempted while struggling for Christ. Therefore he says, "you suffered so much," therefore, "in vain." For if you are circumcised, you have in vain lost those things; then, for fear that he plunge them into despair, he says, "if indeed in vain." For if you wished to be restored, it would not be in vain. — [PHOTIUS] "if indeed in vain," but not without loss. For it is without reason to neither take up nor set down anything. …
Western Saints
Jerome
You have suffered so much without cause, if indeed without cause. Let us consider the unfortunate Jews, how they live among other nations in such superstition and the labor of observance, saying, do not touch, do not taste, do not handle, and we will prove that what is said is true: You have suffered so much without cause. But the judgment is not immediately applied to them, and there is doubt if indeed without cause, because this is said of those who can turn from the Law to the Gospel. …
Thomas Aquinas
Then when he says, "Have you suffered so great things in vain?" he amplifies their desertion by considering the evils they endured for Christ. For anyone who receives something without labor does not guard it as something precious; but that which is obtained by great effort, it is foolish to esteem lightly and not guard it. Now it was with labor and tribulation suffered at the hands of their fellow citizens that they had received the Holy Spirit. …
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