Fathers

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What the Fathers say

Romans 8:25

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

"But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it." That is, if thou art to be looking for everything in this world, what need is there for hope? What is hope then? It is feeling confidence in things to come. What great demand then doth God make upon thee, since He Himself giveth thee blessings quite entire from His own stores? One thing only, hope, He asks of thee, that thou too mayest have somewhat of thine own to contribute toward thy salvation. …

Homily on Romans 14 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

Therefore, one must not seek everything here: we "wait with patience" for the future. When you hear of patience, understand by it the idea of struggles and strenuous labors. For a Christian must endure, awaiting that which is unseen but expected through faith.

Commentary on Romans ↗

Cyprian

Patient waiting is necessary that we may fulfill what we have begun to be and, through God's help, that we may obtain what we hope for and believe.

Treatise IX. On the Advantage of Patience 13 ↗

Western Saints

Bede

The certainty of our hope is prefigured by the egg. No offspring is as yet discernible in the egg, but the birth of the bird to come is hoped for. The faithful do not yet look upon the glory of the fatherland on high in which they believe at the present time, but they await its coming in hope.

Homilies on the Gospels 11.14 ↗

Thomas Aquinas

Fourth, he presents the conclusion, saying, "but if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience." Hence it should be noted that patience, properly speaking, inclines one to tolerate tribulation with a certain evenness of mind: "be patient in tribulation" (Rom 12:12). …

Commentary on Romans ↗