I do think that Paul’s writing constitutes the best examples of what the Early Church thought, but since the understanding of these verses have come into question, I find it best to go back and see what the first Christians actually thought and taught, since these were the very people who Paul was writing these letters too and about. I understand that the early Christians don’t hold the same level of authority that Paul or the other Apostles do, but for me, it’s about going back to the source documents and seeing how those Christians who knew Paul personally understood and acted upon that passage.
You will find very few writings by people who actually received Paul's letters. And writings done in the area of the churches done a century or more later should not have nearly the same weight as the Scripture itself. We know how a generation or two even in our time can radically change the dynamics of what really happened. I'm not saying these early fathers were not good people. They heroically fought the doctrinal battles of their day and laid down doctrine as their world was being radically changed and their views are integral to our understanding. However, reading their insight (impacted by their pagan-driven culture) is not nearly as important as reading Scripture itself. Current-day exegesis done by the power of the Holy Spirit should not be discounted or minimalized.