There are many Greek words translated into the one English word meaning "worship." Only one truly means how we take it to mean as "religious worship."
John 9:38 is proskyneo, which means to kiss the hand of, like a dog licking his master's hand. It is akin to kneeling before a king or bowing before a master. It is a sign of respect but not religious worshipping.
1) to kiss the hand to (towards) one, in token of reverence
2) among the Orientals, esp. the Persians, to fall upon the knees and touch the ground with the forehead as an expression of profound reverence
3) in the NT by kneeling or prostration to do homage (to one) or make obeisance, whether in order to express respect or to make supplication
a) used of homage shown to men and beings of superior rank
1) to the Jewish high priests
2) to God
3) to Christ
4) to heavenly beings
5) to demons
Vine's definition:
"to make obeisance, do reverence to" (from pros, "towards," and kuneo, "to kiss"), is the most frequent word rendered "to worship." It is used of an act of homage or reverence "
The word for religious worship is threskeia. It is translated religion three times and worshipping one time.
Vine's definition:
"signifies 'religion' in its external aspect, 'religious worship,' especially the ceremonial service of 'religion'"
When it was referred to as worshipping (Col 2:18), it was the condemnation of the worshipping of angels.
The angel told John to kneel before God. As Christ is superior to us and the angels, the Father has said of him, "That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of [things] in heaven, and [things] in earth, and [things] under the earth."
You kneel before your king. Christ is our King. But all religious worship should be directed toward the Father.
