Revelation 2:14

The doctrine of Balaam,— As Balaam has the same signification in Hebrew which Nicolas has in Greek, and both signify "conquerors of the people," (which name might probably have been given to Balaam, on account of the influence which he had in the place where he lived;) it seems most likely that the peculiar doctrines of Balaam and of the Nicolaitans were the same; or the latter might be more strenuous in justifying and propagating their doctrine, and acting upon it. As if he said, "Balaam taught Balak to lay a stumbling-block before the children of Israel, and thou hast also those who hold the doctrine of the Balaamites." See Numbers 31:15. Jude, Revelation 2:11.