"But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes which I also hate" (to Ephesus;
Rev. 2:6). "So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes which thing I hate" (to
Pergamos; Rev. 2:15).

I believe that the practical activity of the people, or Nicolaitanism, is set before us in the underlined
words above. Taking notice of the first verse quoted above, which we find addressed to the Church
at Ephesus, and comparing it with the other verse quoted in the third address to the Church at
Pergamos, let us record some special features perhaps gone unnoticed.

Nicolaitanism has two distinct sides which by careful examination we shall find are set before us;
namely, the active side and then the passive side.

The active side (see underlining) in both verses is condemned with vehement language, "which thing
I also hate.” How good to see in the first mentioned verse the commendation, "but this thou hast, that
thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes".

The Church at Ephesus was commended for unalterable opposition to this evil. This plain opposition
brings to mind such verses as:"striving together for the faith of the gospel" (Phil. 1:27); or,
"earnestly contend for the faith" (Jude 3). Do not these verses call upon us "for the obedience of
faith?"(Rom. 16:26).

As we have examined the active side of Nicolaitanism, let us now study the passive side as seen in
Pergamos:"So hast thou also them". Upon examination we find the active practitioners of
Nicolaitanism, and also those who have submitted themselves to such, and these necessarily subject
to them. Does not the Apostle Paul set forth this thought quite plainly in .his 1st Epistle to the
Corinthians:"I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ". I would apprehend
it thus. Therefore it would appear that_"so hast thou also them"_would set before us the passive
side. The Lord’s reproof is spoken directly to the passive class.

Another has well said:"Here (Rev. 2:15, Pergamos) it is more than the deeds of the Nicolaitanes.
There are now not merely deeds, but doctrine. And the Church, instead of repudiating it, was holding
with it. In the Ephesian days, they hated the deeds of the Nicolaitanes; but in Pergamos they hod, and
did not reprobate, those who held the doctrine."

I would add but one thought in closing, yet this thought is perhaps for the individual to think on. The
condemnation in both verses is practically the same:"which thing I hate". The question arises, is the
passive less guilty than the active? Nay, could it not be more guilty?

FRAGMENT. Discipline and Godly care exercised in the local assembly, when done in communion
with the Lord, will draw the hearts of all closer to each other in all their exercises and trials.