Revelation 2:14

Translations

Modern

But I have a few things against you, because some of you hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to place a stumbling block before the Israelites so they would eat food sacrificed to idols and commit sexual immorality.

Traditional

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.

Literal

But I have a few things against you, because you have some there holding the teaching of Balaam, who would teach Balak to cast a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit sexual immorality.

Latin

Sed habeo adversus te pauca: quia habes illic tenentes doctrinam Balaam, qui docebat Balac mittere scandalum coram filiis Israël, edere, et fornicari:

Original

Greek

English

But I have a few things against you, because some of you hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to place a stumbling block before the Israelites so they would eat food sacrificed to idols and commit sexual immorality.

Notes

Revelation 2:14–15

Some people in Pergamum mixed Christianity with pagan beliefs and took part in immoral activities. John compares them to Balaam, who led Israel into sin (see Numbers 25:1–3; 2 Peter 2:15; Jude 1:11).
Nicolaitans: see study note on Revelation 2:6.

Revelation 2:12–17

The letter to the church in Pergamum describes Christians facing temptations to compromise their morals and loyalty to God. Pergamum was the first capital of the Roman province of Asia. The city had a famous library, and its people developed the use of animal skins for writing.

Revelation 2:1–3:22

The seven messages to the seven churches show the condition of Christ's church when Revelation was written, and it is similar today. God still calls Christians to be faithful and honest. Those who listen to Christ's message will receive God's promised rewards. Those who do not will face judgment.

Theme notes and profiles

Balaam Apostasy and Renewal Early Christian Heresies Family, Community, and Sexual Sin God’s Judgment of His People Letters to the Seven Churches Visions

Related verses

Numbers 31:16
“Look, these women caused the sons of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to turn unfaithfully against the LORD at Peor, so that the plague struck the congregation of the LORD.
2 Peter 2:15
They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness.
Revelation 2:20
But I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads My servants to be sexually immoral and to eat food sacrificed to idols.
Numbers 25:1–3
While Israel was staying in Shittim, the men began to indulge in sexual immorality with the daughters of Moab,
Acts 15:29
You must abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things. Farewell.
Jude 1:11
Woe to them! They have traveled the path of Cain; they have rushed for profit into the error of Balaam; they have perished in Korah’s rebellion.
Hebrews 13:4
Marriage should be honored by all and the marriage bed kept undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.
Joshua 24:9
Then Balak son of Zippor, the king of Moab, set out to fight against Israel. He sent for Balaam son of Beor to curse you,
Numbers 31:8
Among the slain were Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba—the five kings of Midian. They also killed Balaam son of Beor with the sword.
1 Peter 2:8
…and, “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word—and to this they were appointed.
Acts 15:20–21
Instead, we should write and tell them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals, and from blood.
Acts 21:25
As for the Gentile believers, we have written to them our decision that they must abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality.”

People

Balaam: A prophet hired to curse Israel but blessed them instead Balak: King of Moab who hired Balaam to curse Israel Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes

Glossary

Ancient Letter Writing Balac Balak Book of Revelation Conversion Moses Nicolaitans Pagans Pergamos, Pergamum

Topics

Affections: False Teachers Seek to Captivate Backsliders: Churches of Asia Balaam: Counsel of, an Occasion of Israel's Corruption with the Midianites Christian Minister: False and Corrupt Church: Backslidden Desert, Journey of Israel Through The: Israel Seduced to Idolatry by Advice of Balaam False Doctrines: Hateful to God Idolatry: Wicked Practices of Licentiousness of Lukewarmness: Pergamos Offense: Balaam Pergamos: One of the |Seven Congregations| In Stumbling: R. V. The Affections: False Teachers Seek to Captivate

Revelation 2:14

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