Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Revelation 2:6

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

Christ adds a further commendation concerning the Ephesians’ hatred of the practices of the Nicolaitans (cf. 2:15)—a hatred directed at the practices of these people, not the people themselves (cf. Psalms 139:21). It is difficult to determine exactly who the Nicolaitans were and what they taught. Etymologically the name means “to conquer the people.” Did they call themselves by this name, or is it a derogatory title Christ applied to them? The close association of the name with the Balaamites in vv.14–15 (see comments) may suggest either identity with this group or similarity to their teachings.

Information about the Nicolaitans is limited, ambiguous, and based on John’s references here in Revelation. Irenaeus claims that John wrote his Gospel to thwart the teaching of the Gnostic Cerinthus whose error was similar to the earlier offshoot of the same kind of teaching known as Nicolaitanism. Eusebius mentions that the Nicolaitans lasted only a short time. Seeing the sect as a heresy would agree with the references in vv.14, 20, which warn against mixing Christian faith with idolatry and cult prostitution. The Nicolaitans claimed to have insight into the divine or, more probably, into the demonic. They lived immoral lives, which allowed them to become part of the syncretism of pagan society and to participate in the Roman civil religion. Others understand the Nicolaitans as Christians who still showed devotion to the emperor by burning incense to his image.