Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
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Gaius Marius Victorinus
AD 400
Above he has given two injunctions, first that they should delight in humility, then that they should think not only of their own affairs but of those of others. Then he says, “Have this mind among yourselves that was in Christ Jesus.” Which of these two then do we take to have been manifested in Christ Jesus? One or the other or both? For the first, his humility, is manifest, since Christ humbled himself and assumed the character of a slave. But the second injunction could be here as well, since he bore this for others and thought of others rather than of himself.
Our Lord Jesus Christ, when urging his disciples to undertake great works, makes himself an example. … This too the blessed Paul does, bringing Christ before their eyes when he urges them to practice humility. … For nothing so sustains the great and philosophic soul in the performance of good works as learning that through this one is becoming like God. .
Our Lord Jesus Christ, when exhorting His disciples to great actions, places before them Himself, and the Father, and the Prophets, as examples; as when He says, For thus they did unto the Prophets which were before you Matthew 5:12; Luke 6:23; and again, If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you John 15:20; and, Learn of me, for I am meek Matthew 11:29; and again, Be merciful, as your Father which is in heaven is merciful. Luke 6:36 This too the blessed Paul did; in exhorting them to humility, he brought forward Christ. And he does so not here only, but also when he discourses of love towards the poor, he speaks in this wise. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor. 2 Corinthians 8:9 Nothing rouses a great and philosophic soul to the performance of good works, so much as learning that in this it is likened to God. What encouragement is equal to this? None. This Paul well knowing, when he would exhort them to...
For martyrdom is so admirable and desirable, that the Lord, the Son of God Himself, honouring it, testified, "He thought it not robbery to be equal with God"
