“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.”
But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they would eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality — the reference to Balaam (Numbers 22-24, 31:15-16) establishes a parallel: just as Balaam led Israel into compromise through idolatry and sexual sin, so the Nicolaitans seduce Christians into compromise. The stumbling block (skandalon) causes believers to fall away from covenant loyalty.
Church Fathers on Revelation 2:14
“You have there some who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught in the case of Balak that he should put a stumbling-block before the children of Israel, to eat and to commit fornication. So also have you them who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes; but I will fight with them with the sword of my mouth.” That is, I will say what I shall command, and I will tell you what you shall do. For Balaam, with his doctrine, taught Balak to cast a stumbling-block before the eyes of…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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