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Translation
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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
Here turning to the Gentile believers he says that it is an idolatry, this rigid observance of days, and now incurs a severe punishment. To enforce this, and inspire them with a deeper anxiety, he calls the elements "not by nature Gods." And his meaning is,-Then indeed, as being benighted and bewildered, ye lay grovelling upon the earth, but now that ye have known God or rather are known of Him, how great and bitter will be the chastisement ye draw upon you, if, after such a treatment, ye relapse into the same disease. …
Theophylact of Ohrid
Here he addresses those who believed from among the Gentiles, showing that the observance of days is idolatry and that they sin more than before. Previously, he says, you at least did not know God, since you lived in darkness and error and because of this served the sun and the moon, which by nature are not gods, but now, after coming to know the truth, if you were to observe days, this would be nothing other than service to the elements — an impiety even worse.
Irenaeus
And the Apostle Paul also, saying, "For though ye have served them which are no gods; ye now know God, or rather, are known of God," has made a separation between those that were not [gods] and Him who is God. And again, speaking of Antichrist, he says, "who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped." He points out here those who are called gods, by such as know not God, that is, idols. …
Western Saints
Jerome
But at that time, not knowing God, you served those who by nature are not gods. But now, knowing God, or rather being known by God, how are you turning again to the weak and impoverished elemental forces, to which you desire to be enslaved again? …
Thomas Aquinas
Having disclosed the pre-eminence of the gift of grace and explained it with a human example, the Apostle here censures the Galatians, who scorned this grace, for being ungrateful for so great a gift. First, he censures them for ingratitude; Secondly, he excuses himself, explaining that he does not do this out of hatred or spite (v. 12b). As to the first he does three things: First, he calls to mind their earlier state; Secondly, he extols and commends the gift they have received (v. 9); Thirdly, he amplifies the sin committed (v. …
Translation