Revelation 2:6 kjv

But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate.

Revelation 2:6 nkjv

But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

Revelation 2:6 niv

But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

Revelation 2:6 esv

Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

Revelation 2:6 nlt

But this is in your favor: You hate the evil deeds of the Nicolaitans, just as I do.

Revelation 2 verses

Revelation 2 6 Meaning

Revelation 2:6 highlights a commendable quality of the church in Ephesus: their active hatred for the works of the Nicolaitans. Despite having lost their first love, this church was commended by Christ for their discernment and intolerance of practices deemed abominable. The verse concludes by emphasizing that Christ Himself shares this hatred for these specific "works," underscoring the divine opposition to such activities and teachings. This indicates that while their spiritual fervor waned, their theological and moral purity against specific heresies remained strong.

Revelation 2 6 Context

Revelation 2:6 is part of the letter addressed to the church in Ephesus, the first of seven churches in Asia Minor to receive a specific message from Christ. This letter (Rev 2:1-7) begins with Christ's self-description as "He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands." He initially commends the Ephesians for their hard work, perseverance, intolerance of evil, and discernment in testing false apostles (Rev 2:2-3). However, a significant criticism follows: they had "abandoned the love you had at first" (Rev 2:4). Amidst this context of commendable zeal yet spiritual decline in love, verse 6 stands as a strong commendation, highlighting a vital positive quality: their principled rejection of the Nicolaitans' practices. Historically and culturally, Ephesus was a major port city, a center of Roman rule and emperor worship, and a hub for various pagan cults, including the temple of Artemis. This environment necessitated spiritual vigilance and a clear stance against syncretism and moral compromise. The Nicolaitans likely represented a sect that promoted some form of compromise with the prevailing pagan culture, potentially involving idol food and sexual immorality, perhaps as a way to avoid persecution or integrate into society. The Ephesian church's hatred of their works was a bulwark against the spiritual dangers prevalent in their urban setting.

Revelation 2 6 Word analysis

• "But" (ἀλλὰ - alla): This conjunction serves as a strong contrast, introducing a positive point that counteracts or provides a different perspective to what has just been mentioned (the abandonment of their first love). It highlights this particular positive quality as a notable exception or mitigating factor.
• "this" (τοῦτο - touto): Refers specifically to the commendable action of hating the works of the Nicolaitans.
• "you have" (ἔχεις - echeis): Indicates a characteristic or possession that the Ephesian church maintained. It's an active, present quality they hold.
• "hate" (μισεῖς - miseis): This is a strong Greek word, implying a deep, settled abhorrence, a vehement rejection, and active opposition, not mere dislike or indifference. It signifies an intentional and moral aversion. This hatred is commended because it is directed at evil that defiles the church and contradicts God's nature. It reflects alignment with God's own holiness and opposition to sin.
• "the works" (τὰ ἔργα - ta erga): Refers to the actions, practices, and outcomes of the Nicolaitan teachings. It emphasizes concrete behavior and ethical conduct stemming from their doctrine, not merely abstract beliefs. The focus is on the fruit of their error.
• "Nicolaitans" (Νικολαιτῶν - Nikolaitōn): The identity of this group is subject to scholarly debate.
  • Etymological Link: Potentially a symbolic name derived from Greek nikao (to conquer, to overcome) and laos (people or laity), suggesting those who lord over the laity or conquer by promoting compromise. This etymology aligns well with the "teaching of Balaam" mentioned in Revelation 2:14, where Balaam enticed Israel to idolatry and immorality, thus causing them to fall.
  • Historical Interpretation: Early church fathers (e.g., Irenaeus) linked them to Nikolaos, one of the seven deacons (Acts 6:5), whose followers allegedly deviated into libertine practices. This historical link is debated among scholars, with many favoring the symbolic interpretation due to the direct link in Revelation itself to Balaam's teaching, which involved sexual immorality and eating food sacrificed to idols (Num 25; 31:16).
  • Their Practices: Based on the connection to Balaam and Jezebel (Rev 2:14, 20), their "works" likely included participation in pagan idol feasts (involving food offered to idols) and sexual immorality, which were common features of pagan worship and societal practices. They advocated compromise with paganism, possibly to avoid persecution or to make Christianity more palatable.
• "which I also hate" (ἃ κἀγὼ μισῶ - ha kagō misō): This powerful phrase signifies Christ's absolute alignment with the Ephesians' hatred of these works. It is not just the Ephesians' human preference but a shared divine abhorrence. Christ, in His perfect holiness and righteousness, utterly detests practices that defile His people, violate His moral standards, or compromise His truth. This highlights the severity of the Nicolaitan error and affirms the Ephesians' discernment.

• "But this you have, that you hate": This grouping shows that the church possessed a specific, positive characteristic – the active opposition to particular evil. It's a strength despite other weaknesses.
• "hate the works of the Nicolaitans": Emphasizes that the hatred is directed at actions and the fruits of false teaching, rather than merely the individuals. It is a hatred for the practice of sin and compromise, not people themselves.
• "which I also hate": Underscores the divine approval and shared perspective. It's not just a commendable human choice, but a stance mirroring the Lord's own righteous judgment and abhorrence of spiritual impurity.

Revelation 2 6 Bonus section

The strong language "hate" (μισεῖς) when applied to the divine is crucial. It does not imply an irrational or capricious emotion as seen in human sinfulness, but rather a settled, unyielding moral opposition and perfect antagonism towards all that is contrary to God's holy character and righteous standards. Christ's "hatred" here is akin to His love for righteousness (Heb 1:9), demonstrating His complete purity and intolerance of spiritual defilement. This commendation of "hating the works" provides an important boundary for Christian love and tolerance; while Christians are called to love all people, they are also commanded to abhor evil and expose works of darkness, rather than tolerating them for the sake of false unity or worldly peace. The parallel between the Nicolaitans' teaching and Balaam's counsel (Rev 2:14) suggests a continuity in tactics of spiritual warfare across testaments: compromising God's people through enticement to idolatry and immorality. Thus, the Ephesians' stand against the Nicolaitans was a continuation of Old Testament faithfulness against pagan corruption.

Revelation 2 6 Commentary

Revelation 2:6 serves as a powerful commendation to the church in Ephesus, showcasing their fidelity to Christ's holiness despite other spiritual struggles. Their "hatred" for the Nicolaitans' works was not mere human prejudice but a righteous abhorrence aligning with Christ's own character. The "works" of the Nicolaitans likely encompassed moral laxity, particularly involving participation in pagan idolatry (eating food sacrificed to idols) and sexual immorality, which were often intertwined in the culture of that time. These practices represented a dangerous compromise with the surrounding pagan world, blurring the lines of Christian distinction. Unlike the church in Pergamos (Rev 2:15) and Thyatira (Rev 2:20), which tolerated or even permitted such teachings and practices, Ephesus actively rejected them. This highlights the importance of theological discernment and a strong stance against defiling influences within the body of Christ. Christ's declaration "which I also hate" reinforces that genuine faith involves a vigorous opposition to anything that pollutes spiritual truth or compromises ethical purity, reflecting God's holy nature. For practical usage, this verse emphasizes the ongoing need for churches and individual believers to exercise discernment, hate sinful practices (though not people), and actively resist worldly compromises that threaten their commitment to Christ's purity and truth.