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Translation
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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
Things which were matter for utter scorn, he puts down specially, but what seemed of a graver cast than the rest, in general terms; and by all he shows, that serving the creature is Grecian. And see how strong he makes his assertion, for he does not say, barely. "they served the creature," but "more than the Creator:" thus everywhere giving fresh force to the charge, and, by the comparison, taking from them all ground of mitigation. "Who is blessed forever. Amen." But by this, he means, He was not any whit injured. …
Athanasius of Alexandria
So far did their impiety go that they proceeded to worship devils and proclaimed them as gods, fulfilling their own lusts.
Theophylact of Ohrid
They exchanged what in truth belonged to God and applied it to false gods. "Worshipped" (ἐσεβάσθησαν) is used instead of: paid honor (ἐτίμησαν). And "served" (ἐλάτρευσαν) is used instead of: rendered service by deeds; for λατρεία means honor rendered in deed. He did not simply say "worshipped and served the creature," but "rather than the Creator," magnifying the guilt by comparison. …
Western Saints
Augustine of Hippo
For by worshiping and serving the creature rather than the Creator they have not wished to be a temple of the one true God. By wishing to have him along with many other things, they have been more successful in not having him at all than in having him along with many false gods.
Thomas Aquinas
Then, when he says, who changed the truth, he mentions the sin of ungodliness committed against the truth of the divine nature. First, he mentions the sin; second, the punishment, at wherefore, God gave them up. The divine nature can be considered in two ways: in one way, as being the first truth. In this respect he says that they changed the truth of God into a lie. …
Bonaventure
Everything that is adored other than God is either an intellectual creature, such as angels and demons; or a corporeal creature, such as heaven and earth and water and the like; or it is a figment of the human mind. Concerning idolatry with respect to corporeal nature, the Apostle says: Who exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God — and it follows: And they served the creature rather than the Creator. Behold, the true adoration of God is here implied, and all idolatry is prohibited.
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