So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate.
15. thou also ] As well as Israel of old.
which thing I hate ] Instead of these words read in like manner. This correction makes it certain that we are not to suppose two immoral sects prevailing at Pergamum, those who held the doctrine of Balaam and those who held that of the Nicolaitans: but one sect holding the doctrine taught by Balaam of old and the Nicolaitans now. The sense is, “thou hast with thee followers of Balaam: he taught God’s people to fornicate and to communicate in idol-worship, and the Nicolaitans with thee teach the same.” The passage gives no support to the theory that the Nicolaitans were so called from Balaam; the etymology of whose name is doubtful, but according to a possible one Nicolaus (“conqueror of the people”) might be an approximate Greek equivalent to it. If not called after Nicolas the deacon, they no doubt were called after another Nicolas as we hear from a tradition or conjecture, later than the one which traces them to him.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
So hast thou also them … – That is, there are those among you who hold those doctrines. The meaning here may be, either that, in addition to those who held the doctrine of Balaam, they had also another class who held the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes; or that the Nicolaitanes held the same doctrine, and taught the same thing as Balaam. If but one class is referred to, and it is meant that the Nicolaitanes held the doctrines of Balaam, then we know what constituted their teaching; if two classes of false teachers are referred to, then we have no means of knowing what was the uniqueness of the teaching of the Nicolaitanes. The more natural and obvious construction, it seems to me, is to suppose that the speaker means to say that the Nicolaitanes taught the same things which Balaam did – to wit, that they led the people into corrupt and licentious practices. This interpretation seems to be demanded by the proper use of the word so – houtos – meaning, in this manner on this wise, thus; and usually referring to what precedes. If this be the correct interpretation, then we have, in fact, a description of what the Nicolaitanes held, agreeing with all the accounts given of them by the ancient fathers. See the notes on Rev 2:6. If this is so, also, then it is clear that the same kind of doctrines was held at Smyrna, at Pergamos, and at Thyatira Rev 2:20, though mentioned in somewhat different forms. It is not quite certain, however, that this is the correct interpretation, or that the writer does not mean to say that, in addition to those who held the doctrine of Balaam, they had also another class of errorists who held the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes.
Which thing I hate – So the common Greek text – ho miso. But the best-supported reading, and the one adopted by Griesbach, Tittmann, and Hahn, is homoios – in like manner; that is, as Balak retained a false prophet who misled the Hebrews, so thou retainest those who teach things like to those which Balaam taught.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 15. The doctrine of the Nicolaitanes] See Clarke on Re 2:6.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes; so, saith he, thou sufferest in thy communion filthy persons, who maintain fornication lawful, and the lawfulness of eating meat offered to idols, which exactly corresponds with Balaams doctrine or counsel given to Balak, in order to his weakening the Israelites by separating them from God. His counsel took place, to the destruction of twenty-four thousand Israelites.
Which thing I hate; I am the same God still, and hate such doctrines, as much as ever I did in the time of Balak.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
15. thouemphatic: “SoTHOU also hast,” AsBalak and the Moabites of old had Balaam and his followers literally,so hast thou also them that hold the same Balaamite orNicolaitane doctrine spiritually or symbolically. Literaleating of idol-meats and fornication in Pergamos were accompanied byspiritual idolatry and fornication. So TRENCHexplains. But I prefer taking it, “THOUalso,” as well as Ephesus (“in like manner” asEphesus; see below the oldest reading), hast . . . Nicolaitanes, withthis important difference, Ephesus, as a Church, hates themand casts them out, but thou “hast them,” namely, inthe Church.
doctrineteaching (seeon Re 2:6): namely, to temptGod’s people to idolatry.
which thing I hateItis sin not to hate what God hates. The Ephesian Church (Re2:6) had this point of superiority to Pergamos. But the threeoldest manuscripts, and Vulgate and Syriac, readinstead of “which I hate,” “INLIKE MANNER.”
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans,…. These impure heretics sprung up in the time of the apostolic church, but their doctrines were not received, and their deeds were hated, see Re 2:6. This seems to design the doctrines of the church of Rome, which in this period took place; which forbid marriage to the priests, and recommended celibacy and virginity to others also; which were the source of all uncleanness and abominable lusts; for which pardons and indulgences were given, and, in process of time, brothel houses were set up, and licensed and encouraged by authority.
Which thing I hate; the doctrine of these men, as well as their deeds.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
So thou also ( ). Thou and the church at Pergamum as Israel had the wiles of Balaam.
The teaching of the Nicolaitans likewise ( ). See on 1:6 for the Nicolaitans. The use of (likewise) here shows that they followed Balaam in not obeying the decision of the Conference at Jerusalem (Acts 15:20; Acts 15:29) about idolatry and fornication, with the result that they encouraged a return to pagan laxity of morals (Swete). Some wrongly hold that these Nicolaitans were Pauline Christians in the face of Col 3:5-8; Eph 5:3-6.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
So. Even as Balak had Balaam for a false teacher, so hast thou the Nicolaitan teachers.
Nicolaitans. See on verse 6.
Which thing I hate. Omit.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “So hast thou also,” (houtos echeis kai su) “Even so also thou hast,” as a church you have, hold, or embrace, associate with, condone in your fellowship, 1Co 5:1-2.
2) “Them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes,” (Kartountas ten didachen ton Nikolaiton homois) “Those holding or embracing the teaching (doctrine) of the Nicolaitans likewise,” in a like manner as they tolerated the doctrine of Balaam, Rev 2:14. Some of this church, like those in the church at Ephesus, Rev 2:6, had embraced the selfish, sensual practice of people-conquering, having their own way, doing what was right in their own eyes, and bossism, 3Jn 1:9-11.
3) “Which thing I hate,” (homoios) “Likewise (Which thing I hate),” as he hated the doctrine of Balaam, a) Idol sacrifice eating, and b) Fornication, c) and enticing to Iust, Rev 2:6; Rev 2:14. As God hates the self-exalted spirit and practice of those who exalt and esteem themselves more highly than they ought and resort to bossism, dictatorship, and preeminence in the church, so should the people of his church, Mat 20:25-28; 3Jn 1:9-11; Jud 1:4-19; Php_2:3-4.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
(15) So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanesi.e., thou, as well as those of old, hast such teachers. There is little doubt that this is the connection between the verses, but opinions are divided whether we are on this account to identify the Balaamites with the Nicolaitanes, and to suppose that both names point to the same sect. The simplest meaning of the passage seems to be that the temptation to which the Israelites were exposed, is used to illustrate the temptations of the Pergamene Church, through the teaching of the Nicolaitanes. Both temptations lead in the same Antinomian direction. Such a tendency was early seen (comp. Rom. 6:4; Gal. 5:13; Jud. 1:4), and is not extinct now. Is there not, writes Dr. Vaughan, a vague, unavowed, unrealised idea that the Atonement has made sin less fatal, that even sin indulged and persisted in, may yet not work death? To such and all who countenance them the warning is, Repent; but if not, I am coming for thee, and will war with thee (note the change of person and number) with (literally, ini.e., armed with) the sword of My mouth.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
15. So hast thou also Observe that the Nicolaitans are different from, and additional to, the holders of the teachings of Balaam, and not identical. They very much agreed in the ultimate of licentiousness they reached, but from different historical and doctrinal starting points. The doctrines of Balaam were a remnant of the old Canaanite or Phoenician Baalism, and were Shemitic; that of the Nicolaitans was Aryan, derived from India, and based on the dogma of the residence of all evil in matter. See notes on Act 6:5, Jud 1:11, and Introduction to John’s Epistles. The active existence of these heretics at the time of the writing of this book proves it later than the reign of Nero.
15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.
Ver. 15. The doctrine of the Nicolaitans ] See Trapp on “ Rev 2:6 “ In the year 1067, the popish synod of Milan made laws against simony a and the heresy of the Nicolaitans; by which latter they meant priest’s marriage. Brutum fulmen, novum crimen. Heavy blow, new sins.
a The act or practice of buying or selling ecclesiastical preferments, benefices, or emoluments; traffic in sacred things. D
15 .] Thus thou also hast (as well as those of old: not, as the Church at Ephesus, Rev 2:6 (De W.). “Sicut Balac tenuit doctrinam pestiferam Balaam, sic apud te sunt aliqui tenentes doctrinam Nicolai erroneam.” Lyra) men holding (see above) the teaching of the Nicolaitans (the art. though not expressed, is in fact, in this later usage, contained in the proper name) in like manner (viz. in eating things offered to idols, and fornication. We may remark, 1) that it is most according to the sense of the passage to understand these sins in the case of the Nicolaitans, as in that of those whom Balaam tempted, literally, and not mystically. So Victorin [34] , Andr [35] , Areth [36] , Ribera, Calov., Beng., Heinr. (doubtfully), Ewald, De W., Hengst., Ebrard, Dsterd., Trench, al.: 2) that the whole sense of the passage is against the idea of the identity of the Balaamites and the Nicolaitans; and would be in fact destroyed by it. The mere existence of the etymological relation is extremely doubtful (see above on Rev 2:6 ): and even granting it, to suppose the two identical, would be to destroy the historical illustration by which the present existing sect is described).
[34] Victorin us , 380
[35] Andreas, Bp. of Csarea in Cappadocia, Cent y . VI.
[36] Rev 2:15 . . . . Are the N. put parallel to, or identified with, the Balaamites? The latter becomes more probable when the symbolical sense of N. and B [902] (see above, on Rev 2:6 , and Kalisch’s Bible Studies , i. 23) is adopted. In this event a single class of errorists is in view; they are instigating and seducing the local Christians much as Balaam managed (by means of Balak, in rabbinic tradition, cf. the slight play on ) to get the Israelites enticed to ruin ( Sanh. 105 a). Josephus explains that Balaam showed Balak how to win a victory over the Israelites ( ) by enticing them to lust, and such a symbolic allusion is quite in the manner of the Apocalypse. The Niko-laitans, who probably resembled Cerinthus or Carpokrates in their tenets, are no better than a Balaam. And the Jewish dictum was ( Sanh. 106 b) that whenever one discovered anything bad in Balaam’s life, one should preach about it.
[902]. Codex Vaticanus (sc. iv.), published in photographic facsimile in 1889 under the care of the Abbate Cozza-Luzi.
which . . . hate. The texts omit, and read “in like manner”.
15.] Thus thou also hast (as well as those of old: not, as the Church at Ephesus, Rev 2:6 (De W.). Sicut Balac tenuit doctrinam pestiferam Balaam, sic apud te sunt aliqui tenentes doctrinam Nicolai erroneam. Lyra) men holding (see above) the teaching of the Nicolaitans (the art. though not expressed, is in fact, in this later usage, contained in the proper name) in like manner (viz. in eating things offered to idols, and fornication. We may remark, 1) that it is most according to the sense of the passage to understand these sins in the case of the Nicolaitans, as in that of those whom Balaam tempted, literally, and not mystically. So Victorin[34], Andr[35], Areth[36], Ribera, Calov., Beng., Heinr. (doubtfully), Ewald, De W., Hengst., Ebrard, Dsterd., Trench, al.: 2) that the whole sense of the passage is against the idea of the identity of the Balaamites and the Nicolaitans; and would be in fact destroyed by it. The mere existence of the etymological relation is extremely doubtful (see above on Rev 2:6): and even granting it,-to suppose the two identical, would be to destroy the historical illustration by which the present existing sect is described).
[34] Victorinus, 380
[35] Andreas, Bp. of Csarea in Cappadocia, Centy. VI.
[36] Arethas, Bp. of Csarea in Cappadocia, Centy. X.2
Rev 2:15-16. ) The angel at Pergamos is ordered to repent in like manner with the angel at Ephesus: , also, corresponds, Rev 2:15. The reading , for which others have written from Rev 2:6, is defended by almost all[34] the authorities. Yet , therefore, remains with great emphasis. Comp. Rev 2:5, ch. Rev 3:3; Rev 3:19.
[34] This reading therefore () is preferred in the margin of Ed. 2 and Vers. Germ., otherwise than is the case in the greater Edition.-E. B.
ABC Vulg. Memph. Syr. read : Rec. Text, , without good authority.-E.
the doctrine: Rev 2:6
Reciprocal: Deu 16:22 – which Mat 5:19 – shall teach Mat 18:7 – but Mat 22:10 – both Act 6:5 – Nicolas 2Co 2:17 – which Gal 1:7 – pervert 1Ti 6:10 – coveted 2Ti 3:8 – resist Heb 1:9 – hated Jam 3:6 – a world Rev 2:2 – how
Rev 2:15. So thou also hast some that hold fast the teaching of the Nicolaitans in like manner. The chief point of inquiry connected with these words is, whether they introduce a second group of erroneous teachers, or whether they constitute a second description of the Balaamites already mentioned. Various considerations may be urged in favour of the latter view:(1) Of the Nicolaitans as a separate sect nothing is known. Some of the early fathers derived the name from Nicolas, one of the seven deacons mentioned in Act 6:5, and supposed that a sect, of which they knew nothing more than they found in this passage, had sprung from him. But the tradition varied; it is in itself in the highest degree improbable; and we may safely regard it as a mere conjecture intended to explain the apparent meaning of the words before us. (2) In Rev 2:20-24 this same sect is obviously compared to Jezebel, a mystical name, making it probable that the name used here is also mystical. (3) The position of the word also in the verse is to be noticed. It is to be closely connected with thou, not thou hast also, etc., as if a second class of false teachers were about to be spoken of, but thou also hast, etc.: the ancient church had its Balaamites, thou hast thy Nicolaitans. (4) The addition of the words in like manner is important, showing, as they do, that the second class of false teachers is really identical with the first. In these circumstances, it becomes a highly probable supposition that the word Nicolaitans is a rough translation into Greek of the Hebrew term Balaamites, destroyers or conquerors of the people. Nor is there force in the objection, even if well founded, that such a derivation is not etymologically correct. The popular instinct, so strong amongst the Jews, which took delight in noting similarities of sound, did not concern itself about scientific etymology. Similarity of sound was enough. Nor does there seem cause to be perplexed by the use in the compound Greek word of a verb signifying to conquer rather than to destroy. Evil is ever in the writings of St. John the counterpart of good. Christ is constantly the Overcomer, the Conqueror; and in like manner His enemies are the would-be conquerors, the would-be overcomers of His people. We are thus led to the conclusion that these Nicolaitans are no sect distinct from the followers of Balaam. They are a mystical name for those who in the church at Pergamos imitated the example and the errors of that false prophet of the Old Testament; and we have another illustration of the manner in which St. John delights to give double pictures of one thing (comp. chaps, Rev 1:20, Rev 2:14-15).
2:15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the {13} Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.
(13) Which follow the footsteps of Balaam, and such as are abandoned to all filthiness, as he showed in the verse before, and is here signified by a note of similarity, and thus also must Rev 2:6 be understood. For this matter especially Ireneus must be consulted as well.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes