What does history say about these people?

 

"The Nicolaitanes are the followers of that Nicolas who was one of the seven first ordained to the diaconate by the apostles. They lead lives of unrestrained indulgence. ...teaching that it is a matter of indifference to practise adultery, and to eat things sacrificed to idols." (Irenius (120-202 AD) Against Heresies, Book I Chapter 26)

Now Irenius was born only about 20-25 years after the book of Revelation is generally credited as having been written.   

 

The Historian Eusebius said....

 

"the so-called sect of the Nicolaitans made its appearance and lasted for a very short time. Mention is made of it in the Apocalypse of John. They boasted that the author of their sect was Nicolaus, one of the deacons who, with Stephen, were appointed by the apostles for the purpose of ministering to the poor. Clement of Alexandria, in the third book of his Stromata, relates the following things concerning him..... " (Ecclesiastical History by Eusebius (c 325 AD), Book IV, Chapter 29)

 

Now the quote from Clement goes on to characterize Nicolaus as teaching heresies on indulgence, but not living them himself, saying he and his family did not actually practice the things he told other was permissible, advocating adultery while staying faithful to his wife.

 

The Talmud also records a Jewish sect called the "Nicolaitians" that were around in 70 AD, but makes no comment on them.

 

Now perhaps is one good example of why studying the history of believers through the ages has some value! 

 

What does the word "Nicolaitian" mean?  Several possibilities.  Revelation was ordered to be sent ot 7 assemblies in "Asia" - what we call today Asia Minor or the mid-east.  There are 7 cities in south West Turkey with these names.  This was an area where borh Aramaic and Greek were well spoken, in that it was the crossroads between the Greek speaking Eastern Europe and Aramaic speaking Asia Minor or Mid-East at the time.  So let's look at possible meanings in several languages that are appropriate.

 

In Greek, this name would mean "conqueror of the Laity."  One possible Aramaic meaning is "those who are not cleansed".   If I allow the possibility that this word is of Hebrew origin, and simply try to examine all possible Hebrew spellings, (which might involve looking at letter substitutions "Kaf" for "Quf"), then other possible interesting meanings begin to develop.  Some possible roots for "nico" in Hebrew could also have meaning in common with words for "shine", "deduction", or "get burnt/hurt".  Possible common roots for "laitians" might be shared with "eager", "excited", "intense heat/flame".  So "get burnt by the intense heat/flame" or "deduction of the excited" may also be possible meanings.  I guess "deduction of the excited" could refer to stupid ideas you get when you let your emotions run wild and do your thinking.  Based on the history of this sect, we can certainly say that the 2 Hebrew meanings and the Aramaic meaning make sense.  Did Nicolas "conquer" his laity?  What do you think?

Shalom,

Joe