Charles Ellicott Commentary Revelation 2:6

"But this thou hast, that thou hatest the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate." — Revelation 2:6 (ASV)

But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds (better, works) of the Nicolaitanes. The Nicolaitanes were, as has been expressed, the Antinomians of the Asiatic Church. The life and conduct were little thought of, and the faith professed was everything.

Some have thought that they were a sect who derived their name, under some specious pretext, from Nicolas the Proselyte; others hold that the name is purely symbolical, signifying “destroyer of the people,” and that it is nothing more than the Greek form of Balaam. (See Notes on Revelation 2:14-15, below.) The existence of a sect called Nicolaitanes in the second century is attested by Irenæus, Tertullian, and Clement of Alexandria.