John Chrysostom

"So that we ourselves glory in you in the Churches of God." Indeed in the first Epistle he says, that all the Churches of Macedonia and Achaia resounded, having heard of their faith. "So that we need not," he says, "to speak anything. For they themselves report concerning us what manner of entering in we had unto you." But here he says, "so that we glory." What then is it that is said? There he says that they need not instruction from him, but here he has not said that we teach them, but "we glory," and are proud of you. …

Homily on 2 Thessalonians 2 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

In the first epistle the apostle said: everyone knows you so well that there is no need for us to speak about you. How then does he now say that he boasts about them "in the churches"! This is clear from the expression itself. He did not say: we tell them about you, but: we boast and pride ourselves in you. Therefore, if we thank God for you and boast about you before people, then all the more you ought to do so in everything that happens to you, and not lose heart or be discouraged in trials. …

Commentary on 2 Thessalonians ↗

Thomas Aquinas

And then he sets out their progress, when he says, "so that we ourselves also glory in you in the churches of God," because what is yours I consider mine. For the good of the disciples is the glory of the prelate. "A wise son brings joy to his father" (Prov 10:1). "Grandchildren are the crown of the aged" (Prov 17:6). "For which I boast about you" (2 Cor 9:2). Then he sets out a sign of their progress, namely patience, which is most of all apparent in tribulations. "Blessed the man who endures temptation" (Jas 1:12). …

Commentary on 2 Thessalonians ↗