{"id":48150,"date":"2021-07-16T11:19:53","date_gmt":"2021-07-16T08:19:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/?p=48150"},"modified":"2025-05-29T08:19:49","modified_gmt":"2025-05-29T05:19:49","slug":"what-does-it-mean-to-worship-angels-colossians-218","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/en\/2021\/07\/16\/what-does-it-mean-to-worship-angels-colossians-218\/","title":{"rendered":"What Does It Mean to Worship Angels? (Colossians 2:18)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Question:<\/strong> What does the phrase \u201cworshiping angels\u201d mean, as mentioned in Colossians 2:18?<\/p>\n

Colossians 2:18 (NIV):<\/strong>
\n\u201cDo not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you. Such a person also goes into great detail about what they have seen; they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

When the Gentile believers first received the gospel, they were transitioning directly from paganism into Christianity. Their understanding of the spiritual realm was often limited or confused, especially regarding the role and nature of angels. This lack of foundation sometimes led to errors in worship.<\/p>\n

The Bible clearly distinguishes the unique divinity of Christ from created beings such as angels. Angels are ministering spirits sent by God to serve His people<\/p>\n

(Hebrews 1:14, ESV: \u201cAre they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?\u201d).<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

They are powerful and holy but remain creatures created beings unlike Jesus Christ, who is God incarnate.<\/p>\n

In Colossae, some believers began to mistake angelic ministry for divine status, assuming angels shared Christ\u2019s authority and worthiness of worship. This led to the dangerous practice of worshiping angels, which Paul warns against. Worship belongs to God alone (Exodus 20:3-5).<\/p>\n

A parallel example is found in the book of Revelation. The Apostle John, while receiving visions on Patmos, attempted to worship an angel who delivered God\u2019s message. The angel immediately corrected him, saying:<\/p>\n

Revelation 22:8-9 (NIV):<\/strong>
\n\u201cI, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. When I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had been showing them to me. But he said to me, \u2018Don\u2019t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your fellow prophets and with all who keep the words of this scroll. Worship God!\u2019\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This correction underscores the biblical principle that worship is reserved for God alone.<\/p>\n