The fix of MC-267943 reverted a parity change with Bedrock. On Bedrock Edition, axes can receive sharpness/smite/bane of arthropods via enchantment table, making them more accessible to use as weapons in the mid-game.

The part regarding thorns being enchantment table compatible with helmets/leggings/boots was a genuine bug because it is not the case on Bedrock either. But the part regarding sharpness/smite/bane of arthropods being available on axes via enchantment table was a positive parity change.

Also, regarding the statement in the original bug report that having sharpness/smite/bane available supposedly makes it too hard to get efficiency/fortune/silk touch, this is just straight up false, even on Bedrock where this feature already exists.