Who were the Nicolaitans in the book of revelation ch.2:6?

Answer 1

* Who were the Nicolaitans in the book of revelation ch.2:6? *

A good translation of Nicolaitan would be " those who prevail over the people." This clerical system later developed into the papal hierarchy of priests and clergy lording over the flock. The Council of Trent stated, "If anyone shall say that there is not in the Catholic Church a hierarchy established by the divine ordination, consisting of bishops, presbyters and ministers, let him be anathema." It is not the question of the ministries but rather in the separation of them into a hierarchy over the people. This very idea was taken over by the Protestants with their own corruption of leadership roles and coverings.


Not so much a people, more of a type of person or system.

Have a pleasant day.

Answer 2

“The sect of Nicolaus” (or Nicolaitans) is condemned in two of the seven letters to the congregations in chapters 2 and 3 of Revelation. For hating “the deeds of the sect of Nicolaus,” which Christ Jesus himself also hates, “the angel” of the Ephesus congregation was commended. (Revelation 2:1, 6.) In the congregation at Pergamum, however, there were some “holding fast the teaching of the sect of Nicolaus,” from which they were urged to turn away and repent.—Revelation 2:12, 15, 16.

Aside from what is here written in Revelation about the sect of Nicolaus, nothing else is known of it, either of its practices and teachings, which are condemned, or of its origin and development. The connective “so” immediately following the reference to the immoral and idolatrous course the Israelites pursued due to “the teaching of Balaam” (Revelation 2:14, 15 - might indicate some similarity, but Revelation makes a distinction between the two. There is no reason to connect the sect with Nicolaus the Antiochian Christian just because he is the only person of that name in the Bible, as has also been done by some of the early church writers. Nor is it warranted to say that some apostatized sect took his name to give weight to their wrongdoing. Nicolaus was more probably a Biblically unidentified individual after whom the ungodly movement was named. If you would like further information or a free home Bible study, please get in touch with Jehovah's Witnesses at the local Kingdom Hall. Jehovah's Witnesses now offer free studies on Revelation. The meetings are free - no collections are ever taken. Or visit http://www.watchtower.org

Answer 3

A heretical sect of Christians. Some say the founder was Nicholas of Antioch, one of the seven deacons in Acts 6:5, but there is no proof.

They taught that the deeds of the flesh do not affect the purity of the soul, and consequently have no bearing on slavation. (Denying faith without works is dead.)

Answer 4

We cannot be positive who these people were. Some think they were followers of a religious leader named Nicolas. Others point out that the name means “rule over the laity” and see in this a reference to the rise of the clerical system.

Answer 5

They were a heretical sect that developed within Christianity. They believed in idolatry and immorality. Once they received the "spirit" then anything goes.