There
is a debate about whether θρησκεια των αγγελων
(thrēskeia tōn angelōn) refers to actually “worshiping angels” (an
objective genitive) or to “worship by the angels” (a subjective genitive).
According to the latter view, the misguided teachers were not merely taking
pleasure in beholding angels worshiping but presumably wanted to worship along
with them. The preposition εν (en) before ταπεινοφροσυνη (tapeinophrosynē) and its absence
before θρησκεια suggests a close conceptual link between the
asceticism and worship . . . This could mean either that the asceticism is
directed toward a view for preparation to worship angels (according to the
objective genitive option) or that this refers to the humility of the angels
themselves and worship by angels (the subjective genitive alternative).
Accordingly, under either view, this placement of the preposition would also
suggest that the genitive των αγγελων would modify both θρησκεια and ταπεινοφροσυνη . . . The immediate context must ultimately
decide the issue about whether this is an objective or subjective genitive. The
context could allow either of these options. Nevertheless, the first option
appears to be preferable, since elsewhere typically “the being who is worshiped
is given the objective genitive” after θρησκεια (BDAG, 459, s.v. θρησκεια) and in Judaism (LAB 13.6; 1QSb 4.28, “You
will glorify His name and his Holy Ones”; t. Hul. 2.18).
Therefore,
actually “worshiping angels” is likely correct, which expresses an idea of
idolatry. The immediate context of 2:18 repeatedly refers to idolatrous ideas,
so that it is more probable that “worshiping angels” is in mind in 2:18. For
example, “the tradition of men” in 2:8 and “commandments and teachings of men”
in 2:22 are allusions to Isa. 29:13 LXX, which is about idolatry . . .
Furthermore, the “philosophy” of 2:8 is said “not to be based on Christ,” and
similarly the false teaching in verse 19 is said to be “not holding fast to the
head [Christ].” This means that the errant philosophy is focused, even if
subtly so, on an object of worship other than Christ, which is idolatry. In
addition, “self-made” religion in 2:23 appears to be idolatrous since it does
not come from God . . . In addition, the unique threefold combination of θελω (thelō), ταπεινοφροσυνη, and θρησκεια in 2:18 shows that the parallel combination
of εθελοθρησκια (ethelothrēskia) and πατεινοφροσυνη (tapeinophrosynē) in 2:23 is
developing in 2:18. This points further to an objective genitive in the latter
text. That is, in 2:23 the self-made worship” εθελοθρησκια is clearly conducted
by humans and to angels, so it is probably that the worship (θρησκεια) in 2:18 is
conducted by humans with angels at the object of the veneration . . . (G. K. Beale, Colossians and Philemon [Baker
Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament; Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker
Academic, 2019], 225-26)