Revelation 2:15
New International Version
Likewise, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.

New Living Translation
In a similar way, you have some Nicolaitans among you who follow the same teaching.

English Standard Version
So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans.

Berean Standard Bible
In the same way, some of you also hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.

Berean Literal Bible
So likewise you also have some holding the teaching of the Nicolaitans.

King James Bible
So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.

New King James Version
Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.

New American Standard Bible
So you too, have some who in the same way hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.

NASB 1995
‘So you also have some who in the same way hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans.

NASB 1977
‘Thus you also have some who in the same way hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans.

Legacy Standard Bible
So you also have some who in the same way hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans.

Amplified Bible
You also have some who in the same way are holding to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.

Christian Standard Bible
In the same way, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
In the same way, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.

American Standard Version
So hast thou also some that hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans in like manner.

Contemporary English Version
Now some of you are following the teaching of the Nicolaitans.

English Revised Version
So hast thou also some that hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans in like manner.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
You also have some who follow what the Nicolaitans teach.

Good News Translation
In the same way you have people among you who follow the teaching of the Nicolaitans.

International Standard Version
You also have some who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.

Majority Standard Bible
In the same way, some of you also hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.

NET Bible
In the same way, there are also some among you who follow the teaching of the Nicolaitans.

New Heart English Bible
So you also have some who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans likewise.

Webster's Bible Translation
So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.

Weymouth New Testament
So even you have some that cling in the same way to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.

World English Bible
So also you likewise have some who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
so have you, even you, those holding the teaching of the Nicolaitans—which thing I hate.

Berean Literal Bible
So likewise you also have some holding the teaching of the Nicolaitans.

Young's Literal Translation
so hast thou, even thou, those holding the teaching of the Nicolaitans -- which thing I hate.

Smith's Literal Translation
So also hast thou them holding the teaching of the Nicolaitanes, which I hate.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaites.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And you also have those who hold to the doctrine of the Nicolaitans.

New American Bible
Likewise, you also have some people who hold to the teaching of [the] Nicolaitans.

New Revised Standard Version
So you also have some who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And also you have those among you who hold to the teaching of the Nic-o-la’i-tanes.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“So you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Naqolaytans, likewise.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
So, also, you have those who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitanes.

Godbey New Testament
So you also have those in a similar manner holding the teaching of the Nicolaitans.

Haweis New Testament
Thou hast also some who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which I abhor.

Mace New Testament
you have likewise those that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which I hate.

Weymouth New Testament
So even you have some that cling in the same way to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.

Worrell New Testament
So you have also those holding the teaching of the Nicolaitans, in like manner.

Worsley New Testament
So thou hast also them that hold the like doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which I hate.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
To the Church in Pergamum
14But I have a few things against you, because some of you hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to place a stumbling block before the Israelites so they would eat food sacrificed to idols and commit sexual immorality. 15 In the same way, some of you also hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16Therefore repent! Otherwise I will come to you shortly and wage war against them with the sword of My mouth.…

Cross References
Numbers 25:1-3
While Israel was staying in Shittim, the men began to indulge in sexual immorality with the daughters of Moab, / who also invited them to the sacrifices for their gods. And the people ate and bowed down to these gods. / So Israel joined in worshiping Baal of Peor, and the anger of the LORD burned against them.

2 Peter 2:15
They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness.

Jude 1:11
Woe to them! They have traveled the path of Cain; they have rushed headlong into the error of Balaam; they have perished in Korah’s rebellion.

1 Corinthians 10:8
We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died.

Acts 15:29
You must abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things. Farewell.

2 Corinthians 6:14-16
Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? / What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? / What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.”

1 Timothy 4:1
Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons,

2 Timothy 3:1-5
But understand this: In the last days terrible times will come. / For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, / unloving, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, without love of good, ...

1 John 4:1
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Matthew 24:24
For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive even the elect, if that were possible.

1 Kings 16:31
And as if it were not enough for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, he even married Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and he then proceeded to serve and worship Baal.

Deuteronomy 12:30-31
be careful not to be ensnared by their ways after they have been destroyed before you. Do not inquire about their gods, asking, “How do these nations serve their gods? I will do likewise.” / You must not worship the LORD your God in this way, because they practice for their gods every abomination which the LORD hates. They even burn their sons and daughters in the fire as sacrifices to their gods.

Exodus 34:15-16
Do not make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, for when they prostitute themselves to their gods and sacrifice to them, they will invite you, and you will eat their sacrifices. / And when you take some of their daughters as brides for your sons, their daughters will prostitute themselves to their gods and cause your sons to do the same.

Psalm 106:28-29
They yoked themselves to Baal of Peor and ate sacrifices offered to lifeless gods. / So they provoked the LORD to anger with their deeds, and a plague broke out among them.

Jeremiah 23:14
And among the prophets of Jerusalem I have seen a horrible thing: They commit adultery and walk in lies. They strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that no one turns his back on wickedness. They are all like Sodom to Me; the people of Jerusalem are like Gomorrah.”


Treasury of Scripture

So have you also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate.

the doctrine.

Revelation 2:6
But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

Jump to Previous
Cling Doctrine Hate Hold Holding Likewise Manner Nicolaitanes Nicolaitans Nicola'itans Teaching Way
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Cling Doctrine Hate Hold Holding Likewise Manner Nicolaitanes Nicolaitans Nicola'itans Teaching Way
Revelation 2
1. What is commanded to be written to the angels, that is, the ministers of the churches of Ephesus,
8. Smyrna,
12. Pergamos,
18. Thyatira, and what is commended and lacking in them.














In the same way,
This phrase indicates a comparison or similarity to a previous statement. In the context of Revelation 2, Jesus is addressing the church in Pergamum, where He has just mentioned the issue of Balaam's teaching. The "same way" suggests that the problem with the Nicolaitans is akin to the issue with Balaam, which involved leading people into sin.

some of you also hold
This indicates that not all members of the church in Pergamum are guilty, but a significant number are. The use of "hold" suggests a firm adherence or commitment to certain beliefs or practices, implying that these individuals are not merely influenced by the Nicolaitans but are actively embracing their teachings.

to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.
The Nicolaitans are mentioned in Revelation 2:6 and 2:15, but little is known about them outside of these references. They are believed to have promoted a form of antinomianism, which is the belief that Christians are not bound by traditional moral laws. This teaching likely led to moral and spiritual compromise, similar to the issues with Balaam. The Nicolaitans' practices may have included idolatry and sexual immorality, which were common temptations in the Greco-Roman world. Theologically, this teaching is contrary to the call for holiness and separation from sin found throughout Scripture, such as in 1 Peter 1:15-16. The Nicolaitans' influence represents a threat to the purity and faithfulness of the church, which is a recurring theme in the letters to the seven churches in Revelation.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Nicolaitans
A sect mentioned in the Book of Revelation, known for their heretical teachings and practices that were contrary to the teachings of Christ. The Nicolaitans are believed to have promoted a form of antinomianism, which is the belief that Christians are released by grace from the obligation of observing the moral law.

2. Pergamum
The city where the church addressed in this passage is located. Pergamum was a center of pagan worship and had a strong cultural influence, which may have contributed to the spread of false teachings like those of the Nicolaitans.

3. John the Apostle
The author of the Book of Revelation, who received visions from Jesus Christ and wrote them down to instruct and warn the early churches.

4. Early Christian Church
The community of believers in the first century who were navigating the challenges of maintaining doctrinal purity amidst external pressures and internal heresies.

5. Jesus Christ
The one who speaks to the churches in Revelation, offering both commendation and correction to guide them in truth and righteousness.
Teaching Points
Guard Against False Teachings
Believers must be vigilant in discerning truth from error, ensuring that their beliefs align with Scripture.

The Danger of Compromise
The church at Pergamum is warned against tolerating false teachings, highlighting the importance of maintaining doctrinal purity.

The Role of Church Leadership
Leaders are responsible for protecting the flock from heretical influences and ensuring sound teaching.

The Call to Repentance
Jesus calls the church to repent from tolerating false teachings, reminding us of the importance of turning back to God when we stray.

The Importance of Community Accountability
The church must hold each other accountable to uphold the truth of the Gospel and resist cultural pressures.(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 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. Romans 6:4; Galatians 5:13; Jude 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, in--i.e., armed with) the sword of My mouth."

Verse 15. - So hast thou also some that hold. As in vers. 13 and 14 "hold" is κρατεῖν with the accusative (see notes on ver. 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 by all the best manuscripts and versions. In the Greek there is much similarity between the two readings, ΟΜΙΣΩ and ΟΜΟΙΩΣ. "In like manner" refers to the similarity between those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, and those who hold the doctrine of Balaam. It confirms the view that two sects are meant.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
In the same way,
ὁμοίως (homoiōs)
Adverb
Strong's 3668: In like manner, similarly, in the same way, equally. Adverb from homoios; similarly.

[some of] you
σὺ (sy)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

also
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

hold
κρατοῦντας (kratountas)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2902: From kratos; to use strength, i.e. Seize or retain.

to the
τὴν (tēn)
Article - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

teaching
διδαχὴν (didachēn)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1322: Teaching, doctrine, what is taught. From didasko; instruction.

of the
τῶν (tōn)
Article - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Nicolaitans.
Νικολαϊτῶν (Nikolaitōn)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3531: A Nicolaitan, possibly a follower of Nicolaus (a heretic at Ephesus). From Nikolaos; a Nicolaite, i.e. Adherent of Nicolaus.


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NT Prophecy: Revelation 2:15 So you also have some who hold (Rev. Re Apocalypse)
Revelation 2:14
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