Nicolaitan

American  

[nik-uh-lay-it-uhn] / ˌnɪk əˈleɪ ɪt ən /

noun

Nicolaitans plural

1. History/Historical. in early Christianity, a member of a group mentioned in the New Testament and considered heretical.

2. History/Historical. in medieval Christianity, a member of any of various groups deemed heretical, especially a group opposed to clerical celibacy or described by its critics as morally licentious.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• Nicolaitans
  plural

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Nicolaitans

The angel of the church of Ephesus is commended, for not bearing of those that were evil, for trying and detecting the false apostles, and for hating the works of the Nicolaitans, Rev. ii.

From The Divine Right of Church Government by Sundry Ministers Of Christ Within The City Of London by

He finds in this church one fact worthy of commendation—their abhorrence of the deeds of the Nicolaitans.

From The Revelation Explained by Smith, F. G. (Frederick George)

Thus the doctrine of Balaam would stand as a representation of the principles taught by the Nicolaitans.

From The Revelation Explained by Smith, F. G. (Frederick George)

They are not charged with such vile practises as prevailed at Pergamus and Thyatira, the doctrine of the Nicolaitans had gained no foothold among them, yet their works were not perfect.

From The Revelation Explained by Smith, F. G. (Frederick George)

Nicolaitans is the literal Greek translation of Balaamites; destroyers of the people.

From The Literary Remains of Samuel Taylor Coleridge by Coleridge, Henry Nelson