Nicolaitions

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

Nicolaism (also Nicholaism, Nicolationism, or Nicolaitanism) is a Christian heresy whose adherents are called nicolaitans, nicolaitanes, or nicolaites. "Nico" means "conquer" in Greek, and "Laitan" refers to lay people, or laity; hence, the word may be taken to mean "Lay conquerors" or Conquerors of the Lay People


Nicolaism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

What does it mean to conquer the lay people? And why is it called a Christian heresay?

 

[chestertonrules]

Nicolaism (also Nicholaism, Nicolationism, or Nicolaitanism) is a Christian heresy whose adherents are called nicolaitans, nicolaitanes, or nicolaites. "Nico" means "conquer" in Greek, and "Laitan" refers to lay people, or laity; hence, the word may be taken to mean "Lay conquerors" or Conquerors of the Lay People


Nicolaism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

What does it mean to conquer the lay people? And why is it called a Christian heresay?

Here is another description:

Nicolaites

(Also called Nicolaitans), a sect mentioned in the Apocalypse (2:6-15) as existing in Ephesus, Pergamus, and other cities of Asia Minor, about the character and existence of which there is little certainty. Irenaeus (Against Heresies I.26.3 and III.11.1) discusses them but adds nothing to the Apocalypse except that "they lead lives of unrestrained indulgence." Tertullian refers to them, but apparently knows only what is found in St. John (On Prescription against Heretics 33; Against Marcion I.29; On Pudicity 17). Hippolytus based his narrative on Irenaeus, though he states that the deacon Nicholas was the author of the heresy and the sect (Philosph., VII, xxvi). Clement of Alexandria (Stromata III.4) exonerates Nicholas, and attributes the doctrine of promiscuity, which the sect claimed to have derived from him, to a malicious distortion of words harmless in themselves. With the exception of the statement in Eusebius (Church History III.29) that the sect was short-lived, none of the references in Epiphanius, Theodoret etc. deserve mention, as they are taken from Irenaeus. The common statement, that the Nicolaites held the antinomian heresy of Corinth, has not been proved. Another opinion, favoured by a number of authors, is that, because of the allegorical character of the Apocalypse, the reference to the Nicolaitans is merely a symbolic manner of reference, based on the identical meaning of the names, to the Bileamites or Balaamites (Revelation 2:14) who are mentioned just before them as professing the same doctrines.

CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Nicolaites Or Nicolaitans

 

[Secundulus]

Tertullian said that the Nicolaitans were gnostics that taught that there was nothing wrong with any kind of fornication or adultery. (This was a common teaching among some gnostics who, since they believed that matter and flesh were evil and that the soul was separate from the body, taught that there was no such thing as "sins of the flesh."

This notion survives in certain parts of the Church today.

A brother heretic21 emerged in Nicolaus. He was one of the seven deacons who were appointed in the Acts of the Apostles.22 He affirms that Darkness was seized with a concupiscence—and, indeed, a foul and obscene one—after Light: out of this permixture it is a shame to say what fetid and unclean (combinations arose). The rest (of his tenets), too, are obscene. For he tells of certain eons, sons of turpitude, and of conjunctions of execrable and obscene embraces and per-mixtures,23 and certain yet baser outcomes of these. He teaches that there were born, moreover, dµmons, and gods, and spirits seven, and other things sufficiently sacrilegious. alike and foul, which we blush to recount, and at once pass them by. Enough it is for us that this heresy of the Nicolaitans has been condemned by the Apocalypse of the Lord with the weightiest authority attaching to a sentence, in saying "Because this thou holdest, thou hatest the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which I too hate."24

Roberts, Alexander, James Donaldson and A. Cleveland Coxe. The Ante-Nicene Fathers Vol. III : Translations of the Writings of the Fathers Down to A.D. 325, p 650. Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, 1997.​

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Nicolaitans (ni-koh-layʹi-tahns), a religious sect in Ephesus and Pergamum whose members were denounced in Rev. 2:6, 15 for eating food sacrificed to idols and for sexual license. The church fathers considered them followers of Nicolaus of Antioch mentioned in Acts 6:5 and founders of libertine Gnosticism, which remained active beyond the second century. Though this suggestion is possible, not many scholars would regard it as historically reliable. See also Revelation to John, The; Ephesus; Pergamum.

Achtemeier, Paul J., Publishers Harper & Row and Society of Biblical Literature. Harper's Bible Dictionary. 1st ed., p 704. San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1985.

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

EO claims (or so I've been told) that their tradition says it was a person who had more than one wife. Perhaps that's what's meant by the 'unrestrained indulgences' of your post.

However, when there isn't a biblical reference then we must go to the Greek language for definition.
The Greek word is composed of two words, one meaning conquer or be victorious over and another meaning common people, secular people, or laity. Thus, it means conquering the common people, being victorious over the laity. Nicolaitans, then, must refer to a group of people who esteem themselves higher than common believers.
It can't be a Christian heresay if Rev 2:6 condemns it.

 

[Secundulus]

I think you are looking in the wrong place for the definition of this heresy. Here is a commentary that is highly esteemed.

He reproves them for their sinful failures (v. 14): But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there those that hold the doctrine of Balaam, etc., and those that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. There were some who taught that it was lawful to eat things sacrificed to idols, and that simple fornication was no sin; they, by an impure worship, drew men into impure practices, as Balaam did the Israelites. Observe, (1.) The filthiness of the spirit and the filthiness of the flesh often go together. Corrupt doctrines and a corrupt worship often lead to a corrupt conversation. (2.) It is very lawful to fix the name of the leaders of any heresy upon those who follow them. It is the shortest way of telling whom we mean. (3.) To continue in communion with persons of corrupt principles and practices is displeasing to God, draws a guilt and blemish upon the whole society: they become partakers of other men’s sins. Though the church, as such, has no power to punish the persons of men, either for heresy or immorality, with corporal penalties, yet it has power to exclude them from its communion; and, if it do not so, Christ, the head and lawgiver of the church, will be displeased with it.

Henry, Matthew. Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible : Complete and Unabridged in One Volume, Re 2:12–17. Peabody: Hendrickson, 1996.​

 

[Thekla]

Nikolaos is a common name, form which Nicolatians seems to be derived. Greek names tend to have "meanings". For example, Stephen means crown. Nicodemus has a similar meaning to Nikolaos, where "demos" means the people, etc. (several meanings; laos can also refer to "army").

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

The church of Ephesus hated the works of the Nicolations but church of Pergamus taught it. It was part of the doctrine there.

 

[Secundulus]

Nicolaus, Nicolaitans. Nicolaus of Antioch (Acts 6:5) is supposed to have given his name to a group in the early church who sought to work out a compromise with paganism, to enable Christians to take part without embarrassment in some of the social and religious activities of the close-knit society in which they found themselves. It is possible that the term Nicolaitan is a Graecized form of Heb. Balaam, and therefore allegorical, the policy of the sect being likened to that of the OT corrupter of Israel (Nu. 22). In that case the Nicolaitans are to be identified with groups attacked by Peter (2 Pet. 2:15), Jude (11) and John (Rev. 2:6, 15 and possibly 2:20–23), for their advocacy within the church of pagan sexual laxity. References in Irenaeus, Clement and Tertullian suggest that the group hardened into a Gnostic sect. E. M. Blaiklock​

Wood, D. R. W. and I. Howard Marshall. New Bible Dictionary. 3rd ed., p 823. Leicester, England; Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1996.

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The Lord pointed out to them that they had allowed immoral teachings to come into their lives. The teachings were not a body of doctrine but a manner of behavior as described by the last part of 2:14. Their problem had two aspects: (1) They were eating food before idols in the temples; and (2) they were engaged in sexual immorality as pagan worship. For Balaam leading the Israelites into immoral activity, see Numbers 25:1–5 in connection with Numbers 31:16. They were involved in worship of false gods, which involved immoral sexual practices. Revelation 2:15 links the above sin to the teachings of the Nicolaitans and sheds light on the teachings of this basically unknown group. The center of their problem was that they were conforming to the ungodly activities of the surrounding society. "Come" (2:16) refers to Christ’s second coming (cf. 3:11; 22:7, 12, 20).

Hughes, Robert B. and J. Carl Laney. Tyndale Concise Bible Commentary. The Tyndale reference library, p 737. Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers, 2001.​

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

Nicolaus, Nicolaitans. Nicolaus of Antioch (Acts 6:5) is supposed to have given his name to a group in the early church who sought to work out a compromise with paganism, to enable Christians to take part without embarrassment in some of the social and religious activities of the close-knit society in which they found themselves. It is possible that the term Nicolaitan is a Graecized form of Heb. Balaam, and therefore allegorical, the policy of the sect being likened to that of the OT corrupter of Israel (Nu. 22). In that case the Nicolaitans are to be identified with groups attacked by Peter (2 Pet. 2:15), Jude (11) and John (Rev. 2:6, 15 and possibly 2:20–23), for their advocacy within the church of pagan sexual laxity. References in Irenaeus, Clement and Tertullian suggest that the group hardened into a Gnostic sect. E. M. Blaiklock​

Wood, D. R. W. and I. Howard Marshall. New Bible Dictionary. 3rd ed., p 823. Leicester, England; Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1996.

-----------------------​

The Lord pointed out to them that they had allowed immoral teachings to come into their lives. The teachings were not a body of doctrine but a manner of behavior as described by the last part of 2:14. Their problem had two aspects: (1) They were eating food before idols in the temples; and (2) they were engaged in sexual immorality as pagan worship. For Balaam leading the Israelites into immoral activity, see Numbers 25:1–5 in connection with Numbers 31:16. They were involved in worship of false gods, which involved immoral sexual practices. Revelation 2:15 links the above sin to the teachings of the Nicolaitans and sheds light on the teachings of this basically unknown group. The center of their problem was that they were conforming to the ungodly activities of the surrounding society. "Come" (2:16) refers to Christ’s second coming (cf. 3:11; 22:7, 12, 20).​

Hughes, Robert B. and J. Carl Laney. Tyndale Concise Bible Commentary. The Tyndale reference library, p 737. Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers, 2001.​

Yes, Rev 2:14 says that the Nicolations acted 'in the same way' as Balaam, who took money for his gift. He tricked Irael into adulatry with the Moabites after he couldn't curse them.

 

[Secundulus]

The church of Ephesus hated the works of the Nicolations but church of Pergamus taught it. It was part of the doctrine there.

I don't think it says it is part of doctrine. It only says that some practiced it. The condemnation seems to be for tolerating their presence in the larger assembly.

“‘So you also have some who in the same way hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. ‘Therefore repent; or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of My mouth. ” (Revelation 2:15–16, NASB95)

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

I don't think it says it is part of doctrine. It only says that some practiced it. The condemnation seems to be for tolerating their presence in the larger assembly.

“‘So you also have some who in the same way hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. ‘Therefore repent; or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of My mouth. ” (Revelation 2:15–16, NASB95)

When they hold to the teachings they have made it doctrine.

Doctrine (Latin: doctrina) is a codification of beliefs or "a body of teachings" or "instructions", taught principles or positions, as the body of teachings in a branch of knowledge or belief system

 

[Secundulus]

Yes, Rev 2:14 says that the Nicolations acted 'in the same way' as Balaam, who took money for his gift.

It says Balaam taught immorality.

“‘But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit acts of immorality. ” (Revelation 2:14, NASB95)

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

It says Balaam taught immorality.

“‘But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit acts of immorality. ” (Revelation 2:14, NASB95)

Why do you disregard the Greek definition? It just say 'in the same way' that they are stumbling blocks.

 

[Secundulus]

When they hold to the teachings they have made it doctrine.

That they tolerated this doctrine is true. And Christ condemned them for it.

The lesson is not to tolerate perverse doctrine in the assembly. It is to be removed by whatever means required.

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

That they tolerated this doctrine is true. And Christ condemned them for it.

The lesson is not to tolerate perverse doctrine in the assembly. It is to be removed by whatever means required.

Again, then why do you disregard the meaning of the word and place tradition in it's place?

 

[Secundulus]

Why do you disregard the Greek definition? It just say 'in the same way' that they are stumbling blocks.

I am disregarding it because almost nobody believes that this is the etymology of the word.

The Church Fathers, the Catholic Church, and nearly all Protestant scholars agree it means what I posted.

There is a tiny minority that has tried to make it mean a condemnation of the Catholic Priesthood. I think they are wrong because they are reading back into the text based upon modern day predjudice. They are guilty of Eisegesis.

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

This is Mat Henry's commentary, different from yours for some reason

The Nicolaitans were a loose sect who sheltered themselves under the name of Christianity. They held hateful doctrines, and they were guilty of hateful deeds, hateful to Christ and to all true Christians; and it is mentioned to the praise of the church of Ephesus that they had a just zeal and abhorrence of those wicked doctrines and practices. An indifference of spirit between truth and error, good and evil, may be called charity and meekness, but it is not pleasing to Christ. Our Saviour subjoins this kind commendation to his severe threatening, to make the advice more effectual.

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

And this from wiki, who ya gonna believe?

Nicolaism (also Nicholaism, Nicolationism, or Nicolaitanism) is a Christian heresy whose adherents are called nicolaitans, nicolaitanes, or nicolaites. "Nico" means "conquer" in Greek, and "Laitan" refers to lay people, or laity; hence, the word may be taken to mean "Lay conquerors" or Conquerors of the Lay People. However, "Nicolaitan" is simply the name given to followers of the heretic Nicolas (Greek: Nikolaos-the name itself meaning 'victorious over people'or 'victory of the people' which he would have been given at birth).[

Nicolaism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[Secundulus]

I'll believe Ireneaus over Wikipedia.​

Ireneaus, Against Heresies
3. The Nicolaitanes are the followers of that Nicolas who was one of the seven first ordained to the diaconate by the apostles.302 They lead lives of unrestrained indulgence. The character of these men is very plainly pointed out in the Apocalypse of John, [when they are represented] as teaching that it is a matter of indifference to practise adultery, and to eat things sacrificed to idols. Wherefore the Word has also spoken of them thus: "But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate."303

Roberts, Alexander, James Donaldson and A. Cleveland Coxe. The Ante-Nicene Fathers Vol.I : Translations of the Writings of the Fathers Down to A.D. 325, p 352. Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, 1997.​

 

[kenblaster5000]

Tertullian said that the Nicolaitans were gnostics that taught that there was nothing wrong with any kind of fornication or adultery. (This was a common teaching among some gnostics who, since they believed that matter and flesh were evil and that the soul was separate from the body, taught that there was no such thing as "sins of the flesh."

This notion survives in certain parts of the Church today.

A brother heretic21 emerged in Nicolaus. He was one of the seven deacons who were appointed in the Acts of the Apostles.22 He affirms that Darkness was seized with a concupiscence—and, indeed, a foul and obscene one—after Light: out of this permixture it is a shame to say what fetid and unclean (combinations arose). The rest (of his tenets), too, are obscene. For he tells of certain eons, sons of turpitude, and of conjunctions of execrable and obscene embraces and per-mixtures,23 and certain yet baser outcomes of these. He teaches that there were born, moreover, dµmons, and gods, and spirits seven, and other things sufficiently sacrilegious. alike and foul, which we blush to recount, and at once pass them by. Enough it is for us that this heresy of the Nicolaitans has been condemned by the Apocalypse of the Lord with the weightiest authority attaching to a sentence, in saying "Because this thou holdest, thou hatest the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which I too hate."24​

Roberts, Alexander, James Donaldson and A. Cleveland Coxe. The Ante-Nicene Fathers Vol. III : Translations of the Writings of the Fathers Down to A.D. 325, p 650. Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, 1997.​

-----------------------------

Nicolaitans (ni-koh-layʹi-tahns), a religious sect in Ephesus and Pergamum whose members were denounced in Rev. 2:6, 15 for eating food sacrificed to idols and for sexual license. The church fathers considered them followers of Nicolaus of Antioch mentioned in Acts 6:5 and founders of libertine Gnosticism, which remained active beyond the second century. Though this suggestion is possible, not many scholars would regard it as historically reliable. See also Revelation to John, The; Ephesus; Pergamum.

Achtemeier, Paul J., Publishers Harper & Row and Society of Biblical Literature. Harper's Bible Dictionary. 1st ed., p 704. San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1985.

So, a part of Nicolatians would be "A course in miracle," as Oprah Winfrey has put forth. No wonder I do not like that woman. "The secret" as well. She says that there is no sin and that we can be perfect.