Revelation 2:14

“But I have a few things against thee, etc.] The members of this church before their open separation from the apostasy; who still continued in the communion of the corrupt church of Rome, though they remonstrated against the errors and evil practices that crept in; and so were a stumbling block, and a snare to others to join in their idolatry and superstition: because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication: which latter was in order to the former: the instruction Balaam gave to Balak, which is here called his doctrine, was, that Balak should…”

“few--in comparison of the many tokens of thy faithfulness. hold the doctrine of Balaam--"the teaching of Balaam," namely, that which he "taught Balak." Compare "the counsel of Balaam," Num 31:16. "Balak" is dative in the Greek, whence BENGEL translates, "taught (the Moabites) for (that is, to please) Balak." But though in Numbers it is not expressly said he taught Balak, yet there is nothing said inconsistent with his having done so; and JOSEPHUS [Antiquities,4. 6. 6], says he did so. The dative case is a Hebraism for the accusative case. children--Greek, "sons of Israel." stumbling-block--literally, that part of a trap on which the bait was laid, and which, when touched, caused the trap to…”

“But I have a few things against thee - As against the church at Ephesus, Revelation 2:4. The charge against this church, however, is somewhat different from that against the church at Ephesus. The charge there was, that they had “left their first love”; but it is spoken in commendation of them that they “hated the deeds of the Nicolaitanes,” Revelation 2:6. Here the charge is, that they tolerated that sect among them, and that they had among them also those who held the doctrine of Balaam. Their general course had been such that the Saviour could approve it; he did not approve, however, of their tolerating those who held to pernicious practical error - error that tended to sap the very…”

“But thou hast there - Whom thou oughtest to have immediately cast out from the flock. Them that hold the doctrine of Balaam - Doctrine nearly resembling his. Who taught Balak - And the rest of the Moabites. To cast a stumblingblock before the sons of Israel - They are generally termed, the children, but here, the sons, of Israel, in opposition to the daughters of Moab, by whom Balaam enticed them to fornication and idolatry. To eat things sacrificed to idols - Which, in so idolatrous a city as Pergamos, was in the highest degree hurtful to Christianity. And to commit fornication - Which was constantly joined with the idol - worship of the heathens. Revelation 2:15”

“2:14-15 Some in Pergamum were syncretists, combining Christianity with paganism and engaging in immoral activities. John compares them to Balaam, who lured Israel into sin (see Num 25:1-3; 2 Pet 2:15; Jude 1:11). • Nicolaitans: see study note on Rev 2:6.”

“I have: Rev 2:4, Rev 2:20 Balaam: Num 24:14, Num 25:1-3, Num 31:8, Num 31:16; Jos 24:9; Pe2 2:15; Jde 1:11 a stumblingblock: Isa 57:14; Jer 6:21; Eze 3:20, Eze 44:12; Mat 18:7; Rom 9:32, Rom 11:9; Rom 14:13, Rom 14:21; Co1 1:23, Co1 8:9; Pe1 2:8 eat: Rev 2:20; Act 15:20, Act 15:21, Act 15:29, Act 21:25; Co1 8:4-13, Co1 10:18-31 to commit: Rev 21:8, Rev 22:15; Co1 6:13-18, Co1 7:2; Heb 13:4 Revelation 2:15”