Lessons in Leading

In the end, Jesus leaves Ephesus with a praise and an encouragement. (A good lesson for those in leadership. Always end on an encouraging not, when having to confront those who follow. We will see more of this later in my post.)

But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. (Rev 2:6)

The word “Nicolaitans” literally means "destruction of people". There are differing opinions as to what exactly it is that the Nicolations did that caused such vehemence from the Lord.

One thought is the Christ is referring to the literal acts of the “Nicolations” of that time.

The Nicolations were a sect who were charged with holding the error of Balaam, casting a stumbling block before the church of God by upholding the liberty of eating things sacrificed to idols as well as committing fornication in other words, immorality and idolatry

From a Commentary by David Guzik

i. Irenaeus (late second century) describes what he knew of the Nicolaitans: "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. The character of these men is plainly pointed out in the Apocalypse of John, as teaching that it is a matter of indifference to practice adultery, and to eat things sacrifice to idols." (Against Heresies, book 1, chapter 26; ANF volume 1, page 352)

ii. Hippolytus, a student of Irenaeus (early third century) associated them with the Gnostics: "There are, however, among the Gnostics diversities of opinion . . . But Nicolaus has been a cause of the wide-spread combination of these wicked men. [He] departed from correct doctrine, and was in the habit of inculcating indifferency of both life and food." (Refutation of all Heresies, book 7, chapter 24; ANF volume 5, page 115)

Others have emphasized the name: Nikao-laos ("to conquer the people"), and point to the fact that the Nicolaitanes established a priesthood over the laity with claims of apostolic authority and hierarchical separation.

I believe it’s both, but tend to lean more to the suppressing of the laity (common man). God hates it and in no way establishes it in scripture.

There is a way of leading by establishing true authority and there is a way of leading by holding knowledge tight to oneself or doling it out to keep a thumb on the people. Jesus’s own example of leadership while on earth is of the former, not the latter. He did not by separate himself from his followers and prevent them from knowing him completely with a superiority complex of “I know something you don’t know”. No, he lead them by being with them, teaching what he knew, and generously sharing with them. Oh, he had authority, make no mistake, but he did not establish it by hording knowledge in a hierarchical way.

(One other man emphasized the doctrine of the priesthood of allbelievers and turned the established religion during the 1500’s on its ear. That, of course, being Martin Luther.)

If you are at all in a position of leadership, do not think that if you keep all knowledge to yourself, that you have authority. It will sustain you for a little, but in the end will be your destruction, because those under you will eventually learn what you know. There is nothing that is hidden, that will not eventually come to light.

A true leader teaches and guides. He or she produces others that will be able to lead. You will find if you teach generously, and wisely, and reproduce yourself, that you gain much more authority. It is a law in the spiritual realm and in the natural.


Whoever the Nicolaitans were, and whatever exactly they did and taught, we know God hates sin, and wants His people to hate sin also.