ACC ~ 2 Corinthians 4 v16

PERSECUTION ADVANCES THE SOUL’S MERIT. AMBROSIASTER: In times of persecution the soul advances. Every day it adds something more to its experience of faith. Even the damage done to the body becomes conducive to immortality through the merit of the soul. COMMENTARY ON PAUL’S EPISTLES.

THE HOPE OF THE SOUL. CHRYSOSTOM: The body decays by being scourged and persecuted, but the inward man is renewed by faith, hope and a forward-looking will which braves those extremities. For the hope of the soul is in direct proportion to the suffering of the body. HOMILIES ON THE EPISTLES OF PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS 9.2.

EACH GROWS AT THE PROPER SPEED. AUGUSTINE: The renewal of humankind, begun in the sacred bath of baptism, proceeds gradually and is accomplished more quickly in some individuals and more slowly in others. But many are in progress toward the new life if we consider the matter carefully and without prejudice. As the apostle says: “Even though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.” He says that the inner man is renewed day by day in order that he may become perfect, but you would have him begin with perfection. Would that you really did desire this! But you seek to lead the unwary astray rather than to uplift the weak. THE WAY OF LIFE OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH 1.35.80.

CARING FOR THE SOUL. BASIL: A man who has his own best interest at heart will therefore be especially concerned for his soul and will spare no pains to keep it stainless and true to itself. If his body is wasted by hunger or by its struggles with heat and cold, if it is afflicted by illness or suffers violence from anyone, he will pay little attention to it, and, echoing the words of Paul, he will say in each of his adversities: “but though our outward man is corrupted, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.” … But, if a man would also have mercy upon his body as being a possession necessary to the soul and its cooperator in carrying on the life on earth, he will occupy himself with its needs only so far as is required to preserve it and keep it vigorous by moderate care in the service of the soul. HOMILY 21 ON DETACHMENT.

2 Cor