Revelation 2:14 “But I have a few things against you, because some of you hold to the t…”

Revelation 2:14

But I have a few things against you, because some of you hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to place a stumbling block before the Israelites so they would eat food sacrificed to idols and commit sexual immorality.

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

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.

World English Bible

But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to throw a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality.

American Standard Version

But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there some that hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit fornication.

Geneva Bible 1599

But I haue a fewe things against thee, because thou hast there them that maintaine the doctrine of Balaam, which taught Balac to put a stumbling blocke before ye children of Israel, that they should eate of things sacrificed vnto Idoles, and commit fornication.

Darby Translation

But I have a few things against thee: that thou hast there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a snare before the sons of Israel, to eat [of] idol sacrifices and commit fornication.

Young's Literal Translation

'But I have against thee a few things: That thou hast there those holding the teaching of Balaam, who did teach Balak to cast a stumbling-block before the sons of Israel, to eat idol-sacrifices, and to commit whoredom;

Bible in Basic English

But I have some things against you, because you have with you those who keep the teaching of Balaam, by whose suggestion Balak made the children of Israel go out of the right way, taking food which was offered to false gods, and going after the desires of the flesh.

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Cross references

“I have”

Revelation 2:20 Revelation 2:4

Revelation 2:20 · BSB

But I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads My servants to be sexually immoral and to eat food sacrificed to idols.

Revelation 2:4 · BSB

But I have this against you: You have abandoned your first love.

“Balaam”

Numbers 31:16 2 Peter 2:15 Numbers 25:1–3 Jude 1:11 Joshua 24:9 Numbers 31:8

Numbers 31:16 · BSB

“Look, these women caused the sons of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to turn unfaithfully against the LORD at Peor, so that the plague struck the congregation of the LORD.

2 Peter 2:15 · BSB

They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness.

Numbers 25:1–3 · BSB

While Israel was staying in Shittim, the men began to indulge in sexual immorality with the daughters of Moab,

Jude 1:11 · BSB

Woe to them! They have traveled the path of Cain; they have rushed headlong into the error of Balaam; they have perished in Korah’s rebellion.

Joshua 24:9 · BSB

Then Balak son of Zippor, the king of Moab, set out to fight against Israel. He sent for Balaam son of Beor to curse you,

Numbers 31:8 · BSB

Among the slain were Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba—the five kings of Midian. They also killed Balaam son of Beor with the sword.

“a stumbling-block”

1 Peter 2:8 Ezekiel 3:20 Matthew 18:7 Jeremiah 6:21 Ezekiel 44:12 Romans 14:13

1 Peter 2:8 · BSB

and, “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word—and to this they were appointed.

Ezekiel 3:20 · BSB

Now if a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and I put a stumbling block before him, he will die. If you did not warn him, he will die in his sin, and the righteous acts he did will not be re…

Matthew 18:7 · BSB

Woe to the world for the causes of sin. These stumbling blocks must come, but woe to the man through whom they come!

Jeremiah 6:21 · BSB

Therefore this is what the LORD says: “I will lay stumbling blocks before this people; fathers and sons alike will be staggered; friends and neighbors will perish.”

Ezekiel 44:12 · BSB

Because they ministered before their idols and became a stumbling block of iniquity to the house of Israel, therefore I swore with an uplifted hand concerning them that they would bear the consequences of their iniquity,…

Romans 14:13 · BSB

Therefore let us stop judging one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way.

“eat”

Acts 15:29 Acts 21:25 1 Corinthians 10:18–31 1 Corinthians 8:4–13 Acts 15:20 Acts 15:21

Acts 15:29 · BSB

You must abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things. Farewell.

Acts 21:25 · BSB

As for the Gentile believers, we have written to them our decision that they must abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality.”

1 Corinthians 10:18–31 · BSB

Consider the people of Israel: Are not those who eat the sacrifices fellow partakers in the altar?

1 Corinthians 8:4–13 · BSB

So about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world, and that there is no God but one.

Acts 15:20 · BSB

Instead, we should write and tell them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals, and from blood.

Acts 15:21 · BSB

For Moses has been proclaimed in every city from ancient times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.”

“to commit”

Hebrews 13:4 Revelation 21:8 Revelation 22:15 1 Corinthians 6:13–18 1 Corinthians 7:2

Hebrews 13:4 · BSB

Marriage should be honored by all and the marriage bed kept undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.

Revelation 21:8 · BSB

But to the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and sexually immoral and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death.”

Revelation 22:15 · BSB

But outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

1 Corinthians 6:13–18 · BSB

“Food for the stomach and the stomach for food,” but God will destroy them both. The body is not intended for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.

1 Corinthians 7:2 · BSB

But because there is so much sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband.

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

13I know where you live, where the throne of Satan sits, yet you hold fast to My name. You did not deny your faith in Me, even in the days of My faithful witness Antipas, who was killed among you where Satan dwells.

15In the same way, some of you also hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.

Read Revelation 2