Was illness (sometimes) understood to be divine punishment from God in the early era of Christianity? (Around 50-150 AD)

I'm not sure if we still hold this belief that illness could sometimes be direct divine punishment for our sins (I understand it could be a consequence though), but what about during the era of the Early Apostolic Fathers?

Did the early Christians understand that there may be times when illness could be punishment for unrepentant sin? I'm not sure what the general consensus may be during those times, but I looked up that Similitudes 6 and 1 Clement (referencing Psalms 118:18) may have implied so? Even 1 Corinthians 11:30 may have also indicated such a belief.

What is the consensus as well among the Early Church Fathers and the Doctors of the Church? I'm not well-read with their writings.

Posted Sep 28, 2026, 4:38 AM UTC

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