Ambrose of Milan : Hence, it is also said to the soul: Your youth will be renewed like the eagle's. For he was speaking to the soul, saying: Bless the Lord, O my soul. And therefore it hurries to the Word, and asks to be drawn, lest it be left behind; for the Word of God runs and is not hindered. — On Isaac and the Soul John Chrysostom : Therefore he said, "Wherein I suffer trouble as an evil-doer unto bonds, but the word of God is not bound." For just as it is not possible to bind a sunbeam, or to shut it up within the house, so neither the preaching of the word; and what was much more, the teacher was bound, and yet the word flew abroad; he inhabited the prison, and yet his doctrine rapidly winged its way every where throughout the world! — Homily Concerning the Statues 16 John Chrysostom : This Mercy Seat was brighter even than heaven, not shining forth with variety of stars nor with rays from the sun, but the very Sun of righteousness was there, and from hence He sent forth His rays. Again, from time to time in this our heaven, any cloud coursing over at times makes it gloomy; but that bosom never had any such storm sweeping across it. Or rather there did sweep over it many storms and oft: but the light they darkened not; rather in the midst of the temptation and dangers the light shone out. Wherefore also he himself when bound with his chain kept exclaiming, "The word of God is not bound." Thus continually by means of that tongue was It sending forth its rays. And no fear, no danger made that bosom gloomy. — Homily on 1 Corinthians 13 John Chrysostom : For what could be better than those bonds which always in his Epistles he prefers to all things else, saying, "Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ:" and again, "On this account I am bound with this chain, but the word of God is not bound;" and, "Even unto bonds, as an evil-doer." The punishment was twofold. For if indeed he had been so bound, as with a view to his good, the thing would have carried with it some consolation: but now he is bound both "as an evil-doer," and as with a view to very ill consequences; yet for none of these things cared he. — Homily on Acts 52 John Chrysostom : "Wherein I suffer trouble," he says, "as an evil-doer, even unto bonds." Again he introduces consolation and encouragement from himself, and he prepares his hearer's mind with these two things; first, that he should know him to endure hardness; and, secondly, that he did not so but for a useful purpose, for in this case he will gain, in the other will even suffer harm. For what advantage is it, that you can show that a Teacher has exposed himself to hardship, but not for any useful purpose? But if it is for any benefit, if for the profit of those who are taught, then it is worthy of admiration. "But the word of God is not bound." That is, if we were soldiers of this world, and waged an earthly warfare, the chains that confine our hands would avail. But now God has made us such that nothing can subdue us. For our hands are bound, but not our tongue, since nothing can bind the tongue but cowardice and unbelief alone; and where these are not, though you fasten chains upon us, the preaching of the Gospel is not bound. If indeed you bind a husbandman, you prevent his sowing, for he sows with his hand: but if you bind a Teacher, you hinder not the word, for it is sown with his tongue, not with his hand. Our word therefore is not subjected to bonds. For though we are bound, that is free, and runs its course. How? Because though bound, behold, we preach. This is for the encouragement of those that are free. For if we that are bound preach, much more does it behoove you that are loose to do so. You have heard that I suffer these things, as an evil-doer. Be not dejected. For it is a great wonder, that being bound I do the work of those that are free, that being bound I overcome all, that being bound I prevail over those that bound me. For it is the word of God, not ours. Human chains cannot bind the word of God. — Homily on 2 Timothy 4 Oecumenius : In which I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal, but the word of God is not imprisoned. Therefore, I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain salvation, which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. in which I suffer hardship. The afflictions of Paul reveal the truth of the Gospel. even to imprisonment as a criminal. For who, indeed, would choose to suffer such things unless preaching the truth, and about whom he would not be made altogether more certain? but the word of God is not imprisoned. And if I, Paul says, am imprisoned, the preaching is not imprisoned at the same time, but it goes about. For the tongue speaks with imprisoned hands. Indeed, the only prison of the tongue is fear and unbelief. This, however, he also says to the exhortation of those who were free. For if I who am imprisoned preach, what pardon can be given to those who are free and yet neglect? for the sake of the elect. For the sake of the faithful, Paul says, whom God has chosen: for since God chose them, I must suffer everything for them, because God also suffered for us, and indeed there is some kind of repentance and reward: so that they also, just as we, he says, may obtain salvation. And as if he were saying: Certainly, I could live far from dangers, if I only cared for myself; but I suffer these things for the good of others, so that they may obtain salvation. which is in Christ Jesus. Someone might say: If you yourself cannot obtain salvation, but behold, you are about to die, how will you secure salvation for others? Paul replied: I am not speaking of this earthly life, but of that which is in Christ Jesus, that is, what is given through Christ, what is eternal, what is future with glory. For the salvation of the world has no glory. On faith in Christ, and tolerance for the hope of life. — COMMENTARY ON 2 TIMOTHY