Revelation 2:15

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Revelation 2:15

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... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Revelation 2:14-15

Revelation 2:14-15. But I have a few things against thee Things that deserve reproof, and require reformation; because thou hast there Those whom thou oughtest to have immediately cast out from the flock, that hold the doctrine of Balaam Doctrine nearly resembling his: who taught Balak And the rest of the Moabites; to cast a stumbling-block before the children Rather, the sons, as των υιων signifies; of Israel So named in opposition to the daughters of Moab, by whom Balaam... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Revelation 2:12-17

Letter to Pergamum (2:12-17)The difficulties of the church in Pergamum were mainly connected with the religious system known as Emperor worship, which in the province of Asia had its headquarters in Pergamum. Christians on the whole had stood firm and refused to join in the Emperor worship. At least one, Antipas, had been martyred (12-13).But as at Ephesus, there were some who taught and practised Nicolaitan teachings. Like Balaam, they caused God’s people to sin by joining in idolatrous feasts... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Revelation 2:15

which . . . hate. The texts omit, and read "in like manner". read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Revelation 2:15

15. thou—emphatic: "So THOU also hast," As Balak and the Moabites of old had Balaam and his followers literally, so hast thou also them that hold the same Balaamite or Nicolaitane doctrine spiritually or symbolically. Literal eating of idol-meats and fornication in Pergamos were accompanied by spiritual idolatry and fornication. So TRENCH explains. But I prefer taking it, "THOU also," as well as Ephesus ("in like manner" as Ephesus; see below the oldest reading), hast . . . Nicolaitanes, with... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Revelation 2:12-17

C. The letter to the church in Pergamum 2:12-17The purpose of this letter was to encourage the Christians in Pergamum for their faithfulness to Christ and to urge them to reject the false teaching in their midst. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Revelation 2:14-15

3. Rebuke 2:14-15Balaam told Balak that he could overcome the Israelites if he would involve them in Moabite religious feasts that included sacred prostitution (Numbers 25). This would render them unfaithful to God and consequently subject to His discipline. The pagans in Pergamum were evidently encouraging the Christians to join in their pagan feasts and the sexual immorality that accompanied them too. By participating, some in the church had given tacit approval to Balaam’s teaching. The... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 2:1-29

The Epistles to the Seven Churches (Revelation 2:1 to Revelation 3:22)Since ’seven’ is the perfect number, the ’seven churches’ represent all the Churches of the province of Asia. At the same time, the special circumstances of each Church are faithfully pictured in each epistle. Ramsay points out that St. John alludes, as well, to the special circumstances of each city. He suggests that the Churches are mentioned in the order in which a messenger carrying letters would travel. The letters,... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Revelation 2:15

(15) So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes—i.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... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Revelation 2:1-29

Revelation 2:1 Compare Milton's magnificent apostrophe, in The Remonstrant's Defence: 'Who is there that cannot trace Thee now in Thy beamy walk through the midst of Thy sanctuary, amidst those golden candlesticks, which have long suffered a dimness amongst us through the violence of those that had seized them, and were more taken with the mention of their gold than of their starry light; teaching the doctrine of Balaam, to cast a stumbling-block before Thy servants, commanding them to eat... read more

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