So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans.
Christ speaks here as the One bearing the sharp two-edged sword because Pergamos was plagued with corruptors of faith and morals; He comes resolved to fight them by the sword of His word. The word of God cuts every way, no heart too hard, no sin-habit too deeply rooted that it cannot divide them asunder.
AI summary
Commenting on Revelation 2:12-17
These filthy heretics forbade marriage to priests and commended celibacy, which became the spring of uncleanness and abominable lusts; pardons and indulgences followed, then brothel houses licensed by authority itself. I hate their doctrine as much as their deeds.
AI summary
The Nicolaitanes taught the same corruption as Balaam, leading people into licentious practices. Whether they were a second class of errorists or held Balaam's doctrine under another name, the result is the same: the same kind of doctrines defiled Smyrna, Pergamos, and Thyatira alike.
AI summary