Revelation 2:14-15 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 2:12-17

The words of Christ to the congregation at Pergamos. "And to the angel of the Church in Pergamos," etc. "Few, if any, parts of the world present greater attractions than Pergamos to the student of nature, history, or art. It is associated with memorable names and wonderful exploits. It is the native land of Homer, the oldest of the world's poets, and of Herodotus, the father of history, and "three of the seven wise men here began their life. Among the wonders of the world it boasted its... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 2:14

But I have a few things against thee . They are few in comparison with the things commended; but they are very serious; and there must be a sad want of care in the Church at Pergamum to allow such things. These corrupt teachers are alluded to in 2 Peter 2:15 and Jude 1:11 . Like Balaam, they debased spiritual gifts to the vilest purposes, and thus became a σκάνδαλον , a snare or stumbling block, to ethers. Like the Nicolaitans, they held that the freedom of the gospel placed them... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 2:15

So hast thou also some that hold . As in Revelation 2:13 and Revelation 2:14 "hold" is κρατεῖν with the accusative (see notes on Revelation 2:13 ). What does "also" mean? Probably, "As Israel had Balak to seduce them, and Balak had Balaam, so hast thou," etc.). Others take it, "As the Church at Ephesus has Nicolaitans, so hast thou." The reading of the Authorized Version, "which thing I hate," must certainly yield to that of the Revised Version, "in like manner," which is supported... read more

Albert Barnes

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

Albert Barnes

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 2:14

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

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

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