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Scripture Topic Guide

Bible Verses About The Nicolaitans And Early Heresy

Early Christian writers treated the Nicolaitans as a real false teaching tied to sexual immorality and eating food offered to idols, and they linked that warning to Revelation 2. Irenaeus says they were an early heretical group, while Tertullian, Hippolytus, and the Apostolic Constitutions repeat that they were associated with loose living and corrupt doctrine.

The main evidence is broad and steady across the 2nd and 3rd centuries, though some later passages are repeated wording or polemical summaries rather than fresh details. The Bible passages that matter most are Revelation 2:6, 2:14, and 2:15, which condemn the deeds and doctrine of the Nicolaitans and connect the issue with idolatry and sexual sin. There is also nearby early Christian evidence that the church should reject heresy, avoid false teachers, and keep to one baptism and one faith.

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Key Passages

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How to Study The Nicolaitans And Early Heresy

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Scripture Map

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21 references

Foundation Texts

So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate.

Direct Bible text naming the doctrine of the Nicolaitans

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

Direct Bible text naming the Nicolaitans and their deeds

Supporting Passages

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.

Nearby Revelation context on idol food and sexual immorality

And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.

Related Revelation phrase about the same church context

Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.

Related Revelation warning about sexual immorality and idolatry

But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes:

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.