Revelation 2:6
But you have this to your credit: You hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
But you have this to your credit
This phrase acknowledges a commendation from Christ to the church in Ephesus. The Greek word for "credit" here is "ἔχω" (echo), which implies possession or holding something in one's favor. In the context of the seven churches in Revelation, this commendation is significant as it highlights a positive aspect amidst the rebukes. Historically, the church in Ephesus was known for its diligence and perseverance, and this acknowledgment serves as an encouragement to continue in their righteous discernment.

You hate the works of the Nicolaitans
The term "Nicolaitans" is derived from the Greek "Νικολαΐτης" (Nikolaitēs), which is believed to refer to a sect that promoted practices contrary to apostolic teaching. The exact nature of their deeds is not explicitly detailed in Scripture, but early church writings suggest they may have advocated for a form of antinomianism, which is the belief that Christians are released by grace from the obligation of observing the moral law. The use of the word "hate" here is strong, indicating a deep aversion to practices that compromise the purity and holiness expected of believers. This aligns with the broader biblical theme of God’s people being called to holiness and separation from sin.

which I also hate
This phrase underscores the alignment between the church's stance and Christ's own perspective. The Greek word for "hate" is "μισέω" (miseo), which conveys a strong detest or aversion. It is rare for Scripture to attribute such a strong emotion to Christ, emphasizing the severity of the Nicolaitans' actions. This shared hatred between Christ and the Ephesian church highlights the importance of doctrinal purity and moral integrity. Historically, this serves as a reminder of the early church's struggles against heretical teachings and the need for vigilance in maintaining the truth of the Gospel.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Nicolaitans
A group mentioned in the early Christian church, known for practices and teachings that were contrary to apostolic doctrine. Their exact beliefs are not detailed in Scripture, but they are associated with moral laxity and idolatry.

2. Ephesus
The city where the church addressed in Revelation 2:6 was located. Ephesus was a major center of commerce and pagan worship, which presented challenges for the early Christians living there.

3. Apostle John
The author of the Book of Revelation, who received visions from Jesus Christ while exiled on the island of Patmos.

4. Jesus Christ
The speaker in this passage, who commends the Ephesian church for their stance against the Nicolaitans.

5. Early Christian Church
The broader context in which this message is delivered, highlighting the struggles and challenges faced by early believers in maintaining doctrinal purity.
Teaching Points
Discernment in Doctrine
The Ephesian church is commended for recognizing and rejecting false teachings. Believers today must exercise discernment to identify and reject teachings that contradict Scripture.

Moral Integrity
The Nicolaitans are associated with moral compromise. Christians are called to uphold biblical standards of holiness and purity in their personal and communal lives.

Unity in Truth
While love and unity are important, they should not come at the expense of truth. The church must balance love with a firm commitment to doctrinal truth.

Christ's Approval
Jesus commends the Ephesians for their stance, reminding us that seeking Christ's approval should be our ultimate goal, rather than conforming to societal pressures.

Vigilance Against False Teachings
The early church faced many false teachings, and this remains a challenge today. Continuous study of Scripture and reliance on the Holy Spirit are essential for maintaining doctrinal purity.
Bible Study Questions
1. What specific actions or beliefs might have characterized the Nicolaitans, and how can we identify similar influences in the church today?

2. How does the commendation of the Ephesian church for hating the works of the Nicolaitans challenge our understanding of love and tolerance in the Christian faith?

3. In what ways can we cultivate discernment to recognize false teachings in our own spiritual communities?

4. How do the warnings about false teachers in other New Testament passages reinforce the message in Revelation 2:6?

5. What practical steps can we take to ensure that our pursuit of doctrinal purity does not lead to legalism or a lack of love for others?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Acts 20:29-30
Paul warns the Ephesian elders about false teachers who will arise, which connects to the threat posed by the Nicolaitans.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11
Paul lists behaviors that are contrary to Christian living, which may reflect the practices of the Nicolaitans.

2 Peter 2:1-3
Peter warns about false teachers who will introduce destructive heresies, similar to the Nicolaitans' influence.

Jude 1:4
Jude speaks of ungodly people who pervert the grace of God, which aligns with the Nicolaitans' moral laxity.
An Exhortation and Encouragement to Individual ChristiansC. H. Irwin, M. A.Revelation 2:1-7
Ashes on a Rusty AltarJ. Hamilton, D. D.Revelation 2:1-7
BackslidingEssex RemembrancerRevelation 2:1-7
BackslidingP. C. Turner.Revelation 2:1-7
Christ'sR. Hall, M. A.Revelation 2:1-7
Christ's Care in Glory for His Church's Good on EarthWm. Strong.Revelation 2:1-7
Conquest and ImmortalityBp. Phillips Brooks.Revelation 2:1-7
Decay of LoveRevelation 2:1-7
Declension from First LoveC. H. Spurgeon.Revelation 2:1-7
Emotion Wanted in ReligionRevelation 2:1-7
EnduranceThomas Manton.Revelation 2:1-7
Ephesus -- the Strenuous ChurchA. Mackennal, D. D.Revelation 2:1-7
False ApostlesJames Durham.Revelation 2:1-7
First Love LeftH. Bonar, D. D.Revelation 2:1-7
Forsaking the First LoveE. Griffin, D. D.Revelation 2:1-7
God's Voice to the ChurchJ. S. Exell, M. A.Revelation 2:1-7
Hatred of Evil Essential to LoveIsaac Williams.Revelation 2:1-7
Heaven, a GardenD. Thomas, D. D.Revelation 2:1-7
His Lost IdealJ. Caird.Revelation 2:1-7
How to ConquerF. J. Sharr.Revelation 2:1-7
Inward DeteriorationW. Mitchell, M. A.Revelation 2:1-7
Labouring and not FaintingC. H. Spurgeon.Revelation 2:1-7
Letter to EphesusJ. Parker, D. D.Revelation 2:1-7
Loss of the First LoveW. H. M. H. Aitken, M. A.Revelation 2:1-7
Love's ComplainingC. H. Spurgeon.Revelation 2:1-7
Neglect of the Gospel Followed by its RemovalH. Melvill, B. D.Revelation 2:1-7
Neglected LoveW. W. Andrew, M. A.Revelation 2:1-7
Now, and ThenF. F. Goe, M. A.Revelation 2:1-7
On Leaving Our First LoveEssex RemembrancerRevelation 2:1-7
ParadiseJ. O. Dykes, D. D.Revelation 2:1-7
Peculiarities of This Ephesian LetterCaleb Morris.Revelation 2:1-7
Phases of Church LifeJ. S. Exell, M. A.Revelation 2:1-7
Red-Hot ReligionW. L. Watkinson.Revelation 2:1-7
Religion ActiveS. Charnock.Revelation 2:1-7
Religious DeclensionT. Morell, M. A.Revelation 2:1-7
Spiritual DeclensionH. Melvill, B. D.Revelation 2:1-7
Spiritual Declension Reproved, Admonished, and ThreatenedW. Jay, M. A.Revelation 2:1-7
Spiritual DeclensionsB. Beddome, M. A.Revelation 2:1-7
The Address to EphesusG. Rogers.Revelation 2:1-7
The Coming of Christ a Warning Against DeclensionH. E. Manning.Revelation 2:1-7
The Conflict of the Christian LifeJ. S. Exell, M. A.Revelation 2:1-7
The Decline of Spiritual LoveE. L. Hull, B. A.Revelation 2:1-7
The Enthusiasm of the First LoveJohn F. Ewing, M. A.Revelation 2:1-7
The Epistle to the Church At EphesusS. Conway Revelation 2:1-7
The Epistle to the Church in Ephesus: the Decay of Early LoveR. Green Revelation 2:1-7
The False Apostle Tried and DiscoveredW. Bridge, M. A.Revelation 2:1-7
The Fatal Flaw in the Ephesian ChurchesH. Crosby.Revelation 2:1-7
The Gospel RemovedS. Charnock.Revelation 2:1-7
The Great ConditionS. S. Mitchell, D. D.Revelation 2:1-7
The Heavenly Christ's First Promise to the VictorsA. Maclaren, D. D.Revelation 2:1-7
The Nicolaitane Doctrine Hateful to Christ and His ChurchRevelation 2:1-7
The Paradise of GodG. T. Coster.Revelation 2:1-7
The Peculiarities of the Christian's First LoveA. Alexander, D. D.Revelation 2:1-7
The Seven Stars and the Seven CandlesticksA. Maclaren, D. D.Revelation 2:1-7
The Tree of LifeA. Maclaren, D. D.Revelation 2:1-7
The Tree of LifeR. Watson.Revelation 2:1-7
The True Problem of Christian ExperienceH. Bushnell, D. D.Revelation 2:1-7
The Words of Christ from Eternity to the Congregation At EphesusD. Thomas Revelation 2:1-7
The Words of Christ to the Congregation At EphesusD. Thomas, D. D.Revelation 2:1-7
Unwearied PatienceT. Adams.Revelation 2:1-7
Watchman, What of the NightH. Bonar, D. D.Revelation 2:1-7
What Christ Likes to See in a ChurchC. H. Irwin, M. A.Revelation 2:1-7
Zeal for Truth Must be LovingW. Milligan, D. D.Revelation 2:1-7
People
Antipas, Balaam, Balac, Balak, Israelites, Jezebel, John
Places
Ephesus, Pergamum, Smyrna, Thyatira
Topics
Credit, Deeds, Doings, Favor, Hast, Hate, Hatest, Hating, Least, Nicolaitanes, Nicolaitans, Nicola'itans, Practices, Works, Yet
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Revelation 2:6

     5875   hatred
     8749   false teachers

Library
May 17. "To Him that Overcometh, Will I Give" (Rev. Ii. 17).
"To him that overcometh, will I give" (Rev. ii. 17). A precious secret of Christian life is to have Jesus dwelling within the heart and conquering things that we never could overcome. It is the only secret of power in your life and mine, beloved. Men cannot understand it, nor will the world believe it; but it is true, that God will come to dwell within us, and be the power, and the purity, and the victory, and the joy of our life. It is no longer now, "What is the best that I can do?" but the question
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

January 11. "Hold Fast Till I Come" (Rev. Ii. 25).
"Hold fast till I come" (Rev. ii. 25). The other day we asked a Hebrew friend how it was that his countrymen were so successful in acquiring wealth. "Ah," said he, "we do not make more money than other people, but we keep more." Beloved, let us look out this day for spiritual pickpockets and spiritual leakage. Let us "lose nothing of what we have wrought, but receive a full reward"; and, as each day comes and goes, let us put away in the savings bank of eternity its treasures of grace and victory,
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

Love's Complaining
Hence our Lord's fitness to deal with the churches, which are these golden lamp-stands, for no one knows so much about the lamps as the person whose constant work it is to watch them and trim them. No one knows the churches as Jesus does, for the care of all the churches daily comes upon him, he continually walks among them, and holds their ministers as stars in his right hand. His eyes are perpetually upon the churches, so that he knows their works, their sufferings, and their sins; and those eyes
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 32: 1886

Declension from First Love
But further, Christ says, "I know thy patience." Now there be some that labour, and they do it well. But what does hinder them? They only labour for a little season, and then they cease to work and begin to faint. But this church had laboured on for many years; it had thrown out all its energies--not in some spasmodic effort, but in a continual strain and unabated zeal for the glory of God. "I know thy patience." I say again, beloved, I tremble to think how few out of this congregation could win
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 4: 1858

The New Name.
To him that overcometh, I will give a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.-- REV. ii. 17. Whether the Book of the Revelation be written by the same man who wrote the Gospel according to St John or not, there is, at least, one element common to the two--the mysticism. I use the word mysticism as representing a certain mode of embodying truth, common, in various degrees, to almost all, if not all, the writers of the New Testament. The
George MacDonald—Unspoken Sermons

That There is no Security against Temptation in this Life
"My Son, thou art never secure in this life, but thy spiritual armour will always be needful for thee as long as thou livest. Thou dwellest among foes, and art attacked on the right hand and on the left. If therefore thou use not on all sides the shield of patience, thou wilt not remain long unwounded. Above all, if thou keep not thy heart fixed upon Me with steadfast purpose to bear all things for My sake, thou shalt not be able to bear the fierceness of the attack, nor to attain to the victory
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ

The Seven Assemblies as a Whole (I. 11).
We must here, at the outset, remove the greatest source of all the misunderstandings which have arisen with regard to these seven "churches." The fact of their being called "churches" has naturally led commentators and students of this book to infer that it is the Church of God, or at any rate the historic Christian Church, which is meant. The difficulty is thus arbitrarily created. The Bible student is at once confronted with an overwhelming difficulty. He has read the Epistles which are addressed
E.W. Bullinger—Commentary on Revelation

The Fourth
refers to the books of Numbers and Samuel. The promise is, "to him will give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers; even as I received of my Father. And I will give him the morning star" (Rev. ii. 26-28). Here again the literary order in the Apocalypse goes forward with the historical order: for it is in the book of Numbers that we have the basis of this promise given to the same People, who were the subjects
E.W. Bullinger—Commentary on Revelation

Jesus
C. P. C. Rev. ii. 28 O Name, the psalm and the music That fills the heavenly place-- O Name by which there I enter And see Thee face to face-- O Name, Thou art here the music, And here the sweetness and song, Though the sea and the waves are roaring, And though the night is long. The night--but a night of glory, For there in the heavens I see The Morning Star in its brightness, Thy gift of love to me. I have the pledge of the dawning, The glow of the golden Day, For Thou, O my Lord, hast arisen,
Frances Bevan—Hymns of Ter Steegen, Suso, and Others

Conclusion of the Subject. Pain of the Awakening. Light against Delusions.
1. To bring this matter to an end, I say that it is not necessary for the soul to give its consent here; it is already given: the soul knows that it has given up its will into His hands, [1] and that it cannot deceive Him, because He knoweth all things. It is not here as it is in the world, where all life is full of deceit and double-dealing. When you think you have gained one man's good will, because of the outward show he makes, you afterwards learn that all was a lie. No one can live in the
Teresa of Avila—The Life of St. Teresa of Jesus

The Dialogue against the Luciferians.
Introduction. This Dialogue was written about 379, seven years after the death of Lucifer, and very soon after Jerome's return from his hermit life in the desert of Chalcis. Though he received ordination from Paulinus, who had been consecrated by Lucifer, he had no sympathy with Lucifer's narrower views, as he shows plainly in this Dialogue. Lucifer, who was bishop of Cagliari in Sardinia, first came into prominent notice about a.d. 354, when great efforts were being made to procure a condemnation
St. Jerome—The Principal Works of St. Jerome

The Laodicean State of Christendom.
In Revelation two and three we have seven Epistles addressed to the seven churches in Asia. These Epistles--in keeping with the nature of the book in which they are found--are prophetic in their scope. They record the sentences of the Divine Judge who appears in the midst of these churches (see 1:13-20) inspecting and passing decisions. They contain a panorama of the Church's history. They give us a complete outline of the entire course of the Christian profession, of going from bad to worse, until
Arthur W. Pink—The Redeemer's Return

As Many as were Called by Grace, and Displayed the First Zeal...
As many as were called by grace, and displayed the first zeal, having cast aside their military girdles, but afterwards returned, like dogs, to their own vomit, (so that some spent money and by means of gifts regained their military stations); let these, after they have passed the space of three years as hearers, be for ten years prostrators. But in all these cases it is necessary to examine well into their purpose and what their repentance appears to be like. For as many as give evidence of their
Philip Schaff—The Seven Ecumenical Councils

Vanity of Human Glory.
"The world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not."--1 John iii. 1 Of St. Simon and St. Jude, the Saints whom we this day commemorate, little is known[1]. St. Jude, indeed, still lives in the Church in his Catholic epistle; but of his history we only know that he was brother to St. James the Less, and nearly related to our Lord and that, like St. Peter, he had been a married man. Besides his name of Jude or Judas, he is also called Thaddaeus and Lebbaeus in the Gospels. Of St. Simon we only
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VIII

Job's Regret and Our Own
I. Let us begin by saying, that regrets such as those expressed in the text are and ought to be very BITTER. If it be the loss of spiritual things that we regret, then may we say from the bottom of our hearts, "Oh that I were as in months past." It is a great thing for a man to be near to God; it is a very choice privilege to be admitted into the inner circle of communion, and to become God's familiar friend. Great as the privilege is, so great is the loss of it. No darkness is so dark as that which
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 17: 1871

Of the Imitation of Christ, and of Contempt of the World and all Its Vanities
He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness,(1) saith the Lord. These are the words of Christ; and they teach us how far we must imitate His life and character, if we seek true illumination, and deliverance from all blindness of heart. Let it be our most earnest study, therefore, to dwell upon the life of Jesus Christ. 2. His teaching surpasseth all teaching of holy men, and such as have His Spirit find therein the hidden manna.(2) But there are many who, though they frequently hear the Gospel,
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ

The Calling of the Regenerate:
"Whom He did predestinate, them He also called."--Rom. viii. 30. In order to hear, the sinner, deaf by nature, must receive hearing ears. "He that hath ears let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches." (Rev. ii. 7, 11, 17, 29; iii. 6, 13, 22). But by nature the sinner does not belong to these favored ones. This is a daily experience. Of two clerks in the same office, one obeys the call and the other rejects it; not because he despises it, but because he does not hear God's call in it. Hence
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

The Knowledge of God
'The Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.' I Sam 2:2. Glorious things are spoken of God; he transcends our thoughts, and the praises of angels. God's glory lies chiefly in his attributes, which are the several beams by which the divine nature shines forth. Among other of his orient excellencies, this is not the least, The Lord is a God of knowledge; or as the Hebrew word is, A God of knowledges.' Through the bright mirror of his own essence, he has a full idea and cognisance
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

The Theology of Grace.
The theology which Augustin opposed, in his anti-Pelagian writings, to the errors of Pelagianism, is, shortly, the theology of grace. Its roots were planted deeply in his own experience, and in the teachings of Scripture, especially of that apostle whom he delights to call "the great preacher of grace," and to follow whom, in his measure, was his greatest desire. The grace of God in Jesus Christ, conveyed to us by the Holy Spirit and evidenced by the love that He sheds abroad in our hearts, is the
St. Augustine—Anti-Pelagian Writings

The First
refers to Genesis ii., the promise being, "I will give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God" (Rev. ii. 7). God begins from Himself. The Apocalypse related not only to Israel, but to the earth; and the first promise goes back to Eden and to the "tree of life." The way to that tree was lost: but was "kept" (or preserved) by the cherubim (Gen. iii. 24). These cherubim next appear in connection with the way to the Living One, in the Tabernacle, and are thus linked
E.W. Bullinger—Commentary on Revelation

The Poor in Spirit are Enriched with a Kingdom
Theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3 Here is high preferment for the saints. They shall be advanced to a kingdom. There are some who, aspiring after earthly greatness, talk of a temporal reign here, but then God's church on earth would not be militant but triumphant. But sure it is the saints shall reign in a glorious manner: Theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.' A kingdom is held the acme and top of all worldly felicity, and this honour have all the saints'; so says our Saviour, Theirs is the
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

Letter cxxvi. To Marcellinus and Anapsychia.
Marcellinus, a Roman official of high rank, and Anapsychia his wife had written to Jerome from Africa to ask him his opinion on the vexed question of the origin of the soul. Jerome in his reply briefly enumerates the several views that have been held on the subject. For fuller information he refers his questioners to his treatise against Rufinus and also to their bishop Augustin who will, he says, explain the matter to them by word of mouth. Although it hardly appears in this letter Jerome is a decided
St. Jerome—The Principal Works of St. Jerome

Parting Counsels
'And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: 23. Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. 24. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. 25. And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

Links
Revelation 2:6 NIV
Revelation 2:6 NLT
Revelation 2:6 ESV
Revelation 2:6 NASB
Revelation 2:6 KJV

Revelation 2:6 Commentaries

Bible Hub
Revelation 2:5
Top of Page
Top of Page