John Chrysostom : "Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the veil." He shows, that while we are still in the world, and not yet departed from this life, we are already among the promises. For through hope we are already in heaven. He said, "Wait; for it shall surely be." Afterwards giving them full assurance, he says, "nay rather by hope." And he said not, "We are within," but "It hath entered within," which was more true and more persuasive. For as the anchor, dropped from the vessel, does not allow it to be carried about, even if ten thousand winds agitate it, but being depended upon makes it steady, so also does hope. And see how very suitable an image he has discovered: For he said not, Foundation; which was not suitable; but, "Anchor." For that which is on the tossing sea, and seems not to be very firmly fixed, stands on the water as upon land, and is shaken and yet is not shaken. For in regard to those who are very firm, and philosophic, Christ with good reason made that statement, saying, "Whosoever hath built his house on a rock." But in respect of those who are giving way, and who ought to be carried through by hope, Paul hath suitably set down this. For the surge and the great storm toss the boat; but hope suffers it not to be carried hither and thither, although winds innumerable agitate it: so that, unless we had this hope we should long ago have been sunk. Nor is it only in things spiritual, but also in the affairs of this life, that one may find the power of hope great. Whatever it may be, in merchandise, in husbandry, in a military expedition, unless one sets this before him, he would not even touch the work. But he said not simply "Anchor," but "sure and steadfast," that is not shaken. "Which entereth into that within the veil"; instead of "which reacheth through even to heaven." — Homily on Hebrews 11 Oecumenius : "we have as an anchor," which stabilizes the wavering ships, and hope makes those who are shaken by temptations brave, committed, and patient. "safe and committed." Not simply an anchor, but also safe and secure. For there is an anchor that does not keep the ship unshaken when it is smaller than it ought to be. "which enters." In order that, he says, while we are still here, hope may enter into the kingdom of heaven, that is, so that we may already be in our hopes. See what hope does. It anticipates what is to come. "enters into the inner sanctuary behind the curtain." The inner part of the curtain is called heaven. — The Pseudo-Oecumenian Catena on Hebrews Philoxenus of Mabbug : Keep fast hold upon the hope that Christ cannot lie, according to Paul's counsel to us, "To lay hold of the hope which is promised to us; which we have as an anchor fixed in our soul that it may not be moved." For as the anchor which is cast down into the sea by its weight holdeth fast and restraineth the ship in the waves that it may not wander and drift away out of its proper course, so also is the hope which is promised to us in heaven, and which is the hidden anchor which is set above us, and is sunk and hidden from us in the heaven of heavens; let us make fast our minds to it, and let us fasten the ship of our soul thereto that it may not shift about and be disturbed by the storms and waves of the world which beat upon it, and drift out of its proper course. In spite of the things which thou hearest abide thou in thy simplicity, and let not those who speak against thee change thee and make thee to become like unto them. — 13 Ascetic Discourses, Discourse 4 -- On Faith: First Discourse on Simplicity Theodoret of Cyrus : By "curtain" he referred to heaven: the Lord promised to give the kingdom of heaven to those believing in him. — INTERPRETATION OF Hebrews 6