ὁμοίως. P adds, 1 and Text. Rec[98] substitute, ὃ μισῶ.

[98] Rec. Textus Receptus as printed by Scrivener.

15. καὶ σύ. As well as Israel of old.

ὁμοίως. “In like manner” (see critical note). This makes it certain that we are not to suppose two immoral sects prevailing at Pergamum. those who held the doctrine of Balaam and those who held that of the Nicolaitans: but one sect holding the doctrine taught by Balaam of old and the Nicolaitans now. The sense is: “thou hast with thee followers of Balaam: he taught God’s people to fornicate and to communicate in idol-worship, and the Nicolaitans with thee teach the same.” The passage gives no support to the theory that the Nicolaitans were so called from Balaam; the etymology of the latter name is doubtful, but according to a possible one Nicolaus (“conqueror of the people”) might be an approximate Greek equivalent to it. If not called after Nicolas the deacon, they no doubt were called after another Nicolas—as we hear from a tradition or conjecture, later than the one which traces them to the deacon.

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Old Testament