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Translation
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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
"How that in much proof of affliction the abundance of their joy." Seest thou his wisdom? For he says not first, that which he wishes; but another thing before it, that he may not seem to do this of set purpose, but to arrive at it by a different connection. …
Theophylact of Ohrid
That is, having many afflictions, they became more skilled through patience; they did not fall, but rather rejoiced, not simply rejoiced, but rejoiced abundantly.
Western Saints
Thomas Aquinas
It was a grace as to two things. First, as to patience, because, i.e., "for in a severe test of affliction, they have had an abundance of joy." Here he lays down the conditions of perfect patience: one is that a person be constant, so that he will not be cast down by fear of tribulation or by the very experience of tribulation. Hence he says, "for in a severe test of affliction," they were constant. The other is that they rejoice in those tribulations, as we read of St. Lawrence. …
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