Romans 5:3

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And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation works patience;

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Ambrosiaster

AD 400

Since it is through tribulations that we must enter the kingdom of God, Paul teaches that we should rejoice in them. For suffering added to hope increases our reward. Suffering is the measure of how much hope we have, and it testifies to the fact that we deserve the crown we shall inherit. This is why the Lord said: “Blessed are you when they persecute you and say all kinds of evil things against you on account of God’s righteousness. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great.” For to despise present sufferings and hindrances and, for the hope of the future, not to give in to pressure has great merit with God. Therefore one should rejoice in suffering, believing that he will be all the more acceptable to God as he sees himself made stronger in the face of tribulation. Suffering produces endurance as long as it is not the result of weakness or doubt. Commentary on Paul’s Epistles.

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Augustine of Hippo

AD 430

Paul says this in order to lead us gradually to the love of God, which he says that we have by the gift of the Spirit. He shows us that all those things which we might attribute to ourselves ought to be attributed to God, who was pleased to give us his Holy Spirit through grace.

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Basil the Great

AD 379

For those who are well prepared, tribulations are like certain foods and exercises for athletes which lead the contestant on to the inheritance of glory. When we are reviled, we bless; maligned, we entreat; illtreated, we give thanks; afflicted, we glory in our afflictions.

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Clement Of Alexandria

AD 215

"Divinely, therefore, Paul writes expressly, "Tribulation worketh, patience, and patience experience, and experience hope; and hope maketh not ashamed."

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George Leo Haydock

AD 1849

We glory in spirit in the afflictions, oppression, and persecution, which we suffer as Christians, esteeming them a great blessing. Thus the apostles went rejoicing from before the council, because they had been thought worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus. (Acts v.) And St. James (chap. i.) says: Think it the greatest joy when you fall into various temptations: (i.e. tribulations) for these sufferings greatly serve to confirm the elect in the hopes which they have of enjoying the glory of the world to come. (Estius)

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John Chrysostom

AD 407

Consider how great the things to come are, when we can rejoice even at things which appear to be distressful…. Sufferings are in themselves a good thing, insofar as they prepare us for endurance.

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Tertullian of Carthage

AD 220

As also in his Epistle to the Romans: "And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also, being sure that tribulation worketh patience, and patience experience, and experience hope; and hope maketh not ashamed."

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Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation - 2 Peter 1:20