Revelation 2:14 kjv

But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.

Revelation 2:14 nkjv

But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality.

Revelation 2:14 niv

Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality.

Revelation 2:14 esv

But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality.

Revelation 2:14 nlt

"But I have a few complaints against you. You tolerate some among you whose teaching is like that of Balaam, who showed Balak how to trip up the people of Israel. He taught them to sin by eating food offered to idols and by committing sexual sin.

Revelation 2 verses

Revelation 2 14 Meaning

The verse states a specific charge against the church in Pergamum: that some among them held to the teaching or practice of Balaam. This doctrine led Israel, at Balaam's counsel to Balak, into a snare of spiritual and moral compromise. Specifically, it encouraged participation in idol feasts and engaging in sexual immorality, both forbidden by God, causing His judgment to fall upon the Israelites.

Revelation 2 14 Context

The letter to the church in Pergamum is the third of the seven letters to the churches in Asia Minor found in Revelation chapters 2 and 3. Pergamum was the official capital of the Roman province of Asia, known for its intellectual and religious centers, but also as a stronghold of paganism and imperial cult worship. Jesus refers to it as "where Satan's throne is" (Rev 2:13), likely referencing the massive altar of Zeus located there, or perhaps the prominent Roman temples dedicated to emperor worship (specifically Caesar Augustus, who allowed emperor worship there first). This context explains the severe temptations and pressures on believers to compromise their faith. In this hostile environment, the Pergamene church faced internal issues, particularly the "doctrine of Balaam" mentioned in this verse, which mirrors external pressures. While they were commended for holding fast to Jesus' name despite persecution, some tolerated those who adhered to teachings promoting syncretism – compromising with the pagan culture through participation in idolatrous feasts and sexual immorality, both intertwined in pagan rituals.

Revelation 2 14 Word analysis

• But I have a few things against you: Indicates a negative appraisal from Jesus, despite initial commendation (Rev 2:13). It shows specific sins requiring correction. Jesus, the Judge, meticulously examines the state of His churches.
• because you have there those who hold: Points to an internal problem within the church; certain individuals or groups are present and allowed to maintain harmful practices. The church tolerated this, rather than actively opposing it.
• the doctrine of Balaam: (διδαχή Βαλαάμ - didachē Balaam)
  • διδαχή (didachē): Meaning "teaching" or "doctrine." This implies not merely historical imitation but an actual embrace of a particular teaching or practice. It was a philosophy or principle.
  • Balaam (Βαλαάμ): A prophet hired by Balak, king of Moab, to curse Israel (Num 22-24). When Balaam could not curse Israel because God blessed them, he resorted to a more insidious tactic. Num 31:16 confirms Balaam’s "counsel" to Balak.
• who taught Balak to cast a stumbling block: (ἐδίδαξεν Βαλάκ βαλεῖν σκάνδαλον - edidaxen Balak balein skandalon)
  • taught (ἐδίδαξεν - edidaxen): Highlights the intentionality of Balaam's evil counsel. He didn't just passively allow it; he actively instructed.
  • Balak (Βαλάκ): The king of Moab, a historical figure. The narrative from Numbers is direct and well-known to the Jewish-Christian audience.
  • cast a stumbling block (βαλεῖν σκάνδαλον - balein skandalon):
    • σκάνδαλον (skandalon): Literally "a snare stick" or "a trap." It refers to an impediment, obstacle, or something that causes one to trip, stumble, or fall morally and spiritually into sin or destruction. In the Septuagint (Greek Old Testament), it often translates words related to a snare or a cause for ruin. In the New Testament, it frequently denotes an enticement to sin or apostasy (e.g., Rom 14:13; 1 Cor 8:9).
• before the children of Israel: Refers to God's chosen people, indicating a direct assault on the covenant community. The "stumbling block" was specifically designed to make them fall.
• to eat things sacrificed to idols: (φαγεῖν εἰδωλόθυτα - phagein eidōlothyta)
  • εἰδωλόθυτα (eidōlothyta): "Idol sacrifices," or "things sacrificed to idols." This was a major ethical issue in early Christianity. Pagan temples often served as dining halls for community feasts where meat consecrated to idols was eaten. Participating meant symbolic communion with pagan deities (1 Cor 10:20-21). It symbolized a compromise of monotheism and loyalty to Christ, blurring the lines between Christian faith and pagan practices.
• and to commit sexual immorality: (πορνεύσαι - porneousai)
  • πορνεύσαι (porneousai): Derived from πορνεύω (porneuo), meaning to engage in "fornication" or illicit sexual intercourse. This is a broad term encompassing various forms of unchastity. In the Old Testament prophetic tradition, "harlotry" or "fornication" often symbolizes spiritual idolatry and disloyalty to God (e.g., Hos 4:12). In pagan rituals, cultic prostitution was common. Therefore, participation in idol feasts could directly lead to or involve physical immorality, and spiritual unfaithfulness to God was equated with it.

Words-group analysis:

• "those who hold the doctrine of Balaam": This phrasing implies not just individuals but possibly a teaching, school of thought, or prevailing permissive attitude that allowed such practices to flourish. It indicates a consistent adherence.
• "taught Balak to cast a stumbling block... to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality": This group of clauses defines the exact nature of Balaam's "doctrine." It was an instruction that led to specific, God-forbidden actions. It's a chain of causation: evil counsel leads to enticement (stumbling block) which leads to practical sins (idol food and immorality). This also highlights the two primary expressions of compromise targeted by Jesus: false worship (idolatry) and impure living (sexual sin), often linked in the Old Testament as forms of spiritual infidelity.

Revelation 2 14 Bonus section

The "stumbling block" here implies both enticement by ungodly influences and potentially even leadership that modeled or permitted these behaviors, thereby causing others to fall. It connects to the broader biblical concept of holiness and separation from the world's corrupting influences (e.g., 2 Cor 6:14-17). Balaam, though a prophet who once received true revelation from God, chose to leverage his gift for personal gain, highlighting the danger of ministry motivated by profit or self-interest, leading to destructive counsel (2 Pet 2:15-16; Jude 1:11). The close association of idolatry and sexual immorality is consistent throughout scripture, often representing infidelity to God, both physically and spiritually. God expects His people to be set apart, demonstrating an undivided devotion in every sphere of life. The challenge for Pergamum, and for believers today, is to stand firm in holiness amidst a world that constantly pressures compromise, remembering that God's people are called to be pure in thought, word, and deed, dedicated solely to Him.

Revelation 2 14 Commentary

Revelation 2:14 serves as a stern warning against spiritual and moral compromise within the church, echoing a historical incident of profound infidelity in Israel. The "doctrine of Balaam" represents a deceptive strategy where direct opposition is replaced by insidious seduction into sin. Balaam, unable to curse Israel directly, advised Balak to entice them into pagan idolatry and associated sexual immorality. This counsel successfully weakened Israel, leading to a divine plague (Num 25; 31:16).

For the Pergamene church, situated where "Satan's throne" was, the temptation to compromise was immense. Their social and economic survival might have depended on participating in guild banquets and public festivals, which invariably involved eating meat offered to idols and could easily devolve into sexual looseness. The "stumbling block" here was not merely passive temptation but active encouragement or permissive teaching that justified such involvement, making it difficult for believers, especially the "weak," to maintain purity.

This specific charge against Pergamum is directly paralleled in Revelation 2:20 concerning the Jezebel figure in Thyatira, suggesting these were pervasive dangers in the early church. Jesus, in His absolute holiness and demand for unwavering loyalty, cannot tolerate such syncretism. His condemnation underscores that genuine faith requires not only resisting external persecution but also upholding internal purity and standing against doctrines that lead believers astray into compromise with the world's practices. The Lord demands complete separation from idol worship and all forms of sexual sin, as they represent a divided loyalty fundamentally opposed to Him.

Examples:

• A believer rationalizing participation in workplace parties involving pagan toasts or inappropriate behavior to "fit in" or advance.
• A church allowing teachings that normalize sexual activity outside of biblical marriage to avoid cultural friction.
• A Christian justifying engagement in "harmless" social events that implicitly celebrate non-Christian deities or values.