Revelation 2:6 – “But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.”
Extended Explanation of the Verse
After correcting the Ephesian church for leaving their first love, Jesus gives them encouragement again. He says, “But you have this in your favor.” In other words, there’s still something good going on, and He wants them to know it.
Specifically, Jesus praises them for hating “the practices of the Nicolaitans.” He doesn’t say they hate the people—He says they hate the practices, the actions, the teachings. And Jesus says clearly, “which I also hate.” That’s strong language. It’s rare to hear Jesus speak that directly about something, so we need to take notice.
We don’t know everything about the Nicolaitans, but from what we read in Revelation, their teaching and behavior encouraged compromise with sin—especially sexual immorality and idol worship. They tried to mix the ways of the world with the ways of God. But the church in Ephesus wouldn’t have it. They rejected that, and Jesus says, “I’m with you on that.”
Historical Context
The Nicolaitans were a real group in the early church era. Some scholars believe they took inspiration from a man named Nicolas (possibly the same one from Acts 6:5), but twisted his ideas into something harmful. They likely taught that since believers were saved by grace, they could live however they wanted—especially when it came to sexual behavior and participation in pagan culture.
In a city like Ephesus, where idol worship and sexual immorality were normal parts of daily life, this kind of teaching would have sounded appealing. It offered a comfortable way to blend in. But it was false, and the Ephesian church recognized that. They stood strong and refused to tolerate teachings that led people into sin.
Theological Implications
This verse shows that not all teaching is equal. Some ideas directly oppose God’s truth and lead people away from Him. Jesus doesn’t just dislike those teachings—He hates them. That’s because they harm people. They pull hearts away from God and twist the gospel into something it was never meant to be.
It also shows that God’s people are called to stand against false teaching—not with cruelty, but with clarity. Hating the practices, not the people. Loving truth enough to say, “That’s not from God.”
Literary Analysis
This verse is a turning point in the structure of the message. After a strong warning in verse 5, Jesus circles back to encouragement. The phrase “But you have this in your favor” brings balance. He’s not crushing the Ephesians—He’s building them up while still being honest.
The phrase “which I also hate” is powerful. It shows alignment between Jesus and His people. They’re on the same side, not just in belief, but in how they respond to sin and falsehood.
Relevant Biblical Cross-References
- Revelation 2:15 – The Nicolaitans are also mentioned in the letter to Pergamum.
- Jude 4 – Describes those who pervert grace into a license for immorality.
- 2 Peter 2:1-2 – Warns of false teachers who lead many into destructive ways.
- Romans 12:9 – “Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.”
- 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 – Calls believers to flee from sexual immorality.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
This verse reminds us that not all beliefs and practices that claim to be “Christian” are true or good. Some teachings distort grace and lead people away from holiness. Today’s world is full of messages that try to blend biblical faith with worldly values. But Jesus calls us to love what is good and reject what is false—even if it’s popular or appealing.
Christians today are still called to discernment. It’s not enough to just believe in Jesus—we need to be careful about what we tolerate in His name. And we need to be aligned with what He loves and hates—not based on feelings, but on truth.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
God’s love is not soft on sin. It’s strong enough to confront lies and protect His people. Jesus doesn’t hate for the sake of anger—He hates the things that destroy lives and lead people away from the joy and freedom He offers.
His hatred of sin is actually part of His love. Just like a parent hates anything that harms their child, God hates teachings and behaviors that damage our souls. And He honors those who take a stand, not in pride, but in loyalty to Him.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
Jesus is the one who calls Himself “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). Anything that distorts that truth is something He will stand against. In this verse, He makes it clear that He isn’t neutral. He is personally invested in protecting His Church from falsehood.
He also models how to respond—with firm opposition to evil, but without hatred toward people. Jesus died for sinners, including those who followed false teachings. But He never compromised on truth. He loved people enough to confront their sin and call them to repentance.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- Are there any beliefs or teachings you’ve encountered that try to blend Christianity with sin? How do you respond?
- How can you grow in discernment without becoming harsh or judgmental?
- Do you hate evil because it’s evil—or just because it’s inconvenient?
- How can we as a church stand against false teachings while still showing love to those who are deceived?
- What does it mean to be aligned with what Jesus loves and hates?