The worship of angels was a significant element of the false teachings influencing the Galatians, intertwined with a blend of Judaism and Gnosticism. This philosophy promoted strict legalism, false humility, and the veneration of angels, which Paul strongly opposed. He warned the Galatians not to heed even an angel from heaven if it preached a false gospel, emphasizing that such practices were part of the weak and beggarly elements they were returning to. These elements, rooted in demonic influences and idolatrous worship, included the observance of pagan festivals and holidays associated with heavenly bodies and false deities. Paul condemned these practices as inspired by satan and his demons, the principal causes of the world's evil, urging the Galatians to abandon such customs entirely. Instead, he pointed them toward a life aligned with the true teachings of Christ, free from the bondage of these erroneous and spiritually harmful traditions.

Gnosticism, as a religious philosophy, presents a framework that often distorts the true nature of Jesus Christ. Some branches of Gnosticism promoted asceticism, believing it freed the eternal spirit through strict, plain living, while others embraced hedonism, asserting that bodily actions were irrelevant since only the spirit mattered. Paul warns against such philosophies, describing them as vain or empty deceit that could rob believers of their faith, hope, and understanding of God. He identifies the source of these deceptive ideas as the demonic powers of the world, which continuously prompt humanity with falsehoods that contradict the truth about God and His purpose. In countering Gnosticism, Paul emphasizes the truth about Jesus Christ, stating that He embodies the fullness of the divine nature in bodily form and is the sovereign over every principality and power. Gnostics, however, consistently twisted or denied aspects of Christ's nature and role, with some believing He was merely a man temporarily inhabited by Christ, others denying His death or perfection due to associations with matter, and some viewing Him as a created being. To combat these false teachings, the complete and inspired Word of God must be upheld as the standard against which all concepts and traditions are tested, rejecting the Gnostic tendency to equate other ancient writings with Scripture or to prioritize supposed new revelations over God's written Word.

The issue of angel worship is central to the underlying philosophy that Paul addresses in Colossians. This philosophy, identified as Gnosticism, included the worship of angels, specifically demons, as unseen leaders behind an anti-God system. Paul warns against being taken captive by this deceptive philosophy, which might appear to enhance one's relationship with God but is, in reality, a perversion of the truth. He emphasizes that the Colossians have direct contact with and guidance from God, questioning why they would settle for demons. Paul contrasts the greatness of Christ with these demonic influences, highlighting that the believers already possess complete knowledge through Christ and should not be swayed by empty deceit. The angel worship, along with ascetic practices and the notion of working one's way past demons through gates to a realm beyond, is deemed totally inappropriate to Christianity. Paul urges the Colossians not to allow themselves to be judged by those adhering to such philosophies, as their sins have been wiped out by Christ's blood, granting them access to God without the need for demonic intermediaries.