Revelation 2:14

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Revelation 2:14

But I have a few things against thee - As against the church at Ephesus, Revelation 2:4. The charge against this church, however, is somewhat different from that against the church at Ephesus. The charge there was, that they had “left their first love”; but it is spoken in commendation of them that they “hated the deeds of the Nicolaitanes,” Revelation 2:6. Here the charge is, that they tolerated that sect among them, and that they had among them also those who held the doctrine of Balaam.... 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 2:14

Balaam. See Num 22-25.Joshua 13:22 . cast, &c. See Numbers 25:1 , &c.; Rev 31:16 , &c. 2 Peter 2:15 .Jude 1:11 . stumblingblock. Greek. skandalon. See Numbers 25:0 (Septuagint) children. App-108 . things . . . idols. Greek. eidolothuton. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Revelation 2:14

But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there some that hold the teachings of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit fornication. So hast thou also some that hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans in like manner.The teaching of Balaam ... "Evidently this error of Balaam was the chief principle of the sect of the Nicolaitans."[66] "The teaching of Balaam is merely John's opprobrious name for... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Revelation 2:14

Revelation 2:14. The doctrine of Balaam,— As Balaam has the same signification in Hebrew which Nicolas has in Greek, and both signify "conquerors of the people," (which name might probably have been given to Balaam, on account of the influence which he had in the place where he lived;) it seems most likely that the peculiar doctrines of Balaam and of the Nicolaitans were the same; or the latter might be more strenuous in justifying and propagating their doctrine, and acting upon it. As if he... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Revelation 2:14

14. few—in comparison of the many tokens of thy faithfulness. hold the doctrine of Balaam—"the teaching of Balaam," namely, that which he "taught Balak." Compare "the counsel of Balaam," Numbers 31:16. "Balak" is dative in the Greek, whence BENGEL translates, "taught (the Moabites) for (that is, to please) Balak." But though in Numbers it is not expressly said he taught Balak, yet there is nothing said inconsistent with his having done so; and JOSEPHUS [Antiquities,4. 6. 6], says he did so. The... 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

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