After the praise comes censure.

I have this against you : see 2.4.

You tolerate the woman Jezebel: the Greek verb translated tolerate is different from the verb used in 2.2 “(cannot) bear.” The meaning can be expressed positively, “you allow,” “you permit,” or negatively, “you do not forbid,” “you do not put a stop to,” “you do not prevent.” Jezebel in the Old Testament was the Sidonian princess who was the wife of King Ahab of Israel, and who tried to impose Baal worship on the Israelites (1 Kgs 16.29-31; 18.4, 19; 2 Kgs 9.22). Although it is possible that Jezebel was a woman in the church at Thyatira, it seems more probable that the name is used symbolically of this woman leader who was trying to replace the true worship of God by pagan rites and beliefs. Some translations in English indicate that this is a symbolic name by translating “that Jezebel of a woman” (Moffatt, An American Translation, Barclay), a rather unusual idiom in English, but in context quite understandable to native readers. It is recommended, however, that the translation be quite literal, the woman Jezebel.

Calls herself a prophetess: as in the case of the false apostles (2.2), who were not what they claimed to be, this woman claimed that her teaching was an authentic message from God—but it was not. So the translation can say “who falsely says she is a prophet,” “who lies when she says that her message comes from God.” The feminine form of the Greek word “prophet” is used here and in Luke 2.36 (Anna). In English it is becoming the practice to use the same word, where possible, for both men and women; so New Revised Standard Version “who calls herself a prophet.” There were Christian leaders in the early Church who were called “prophets.” In translation the same word should be used of them as is used of Old Testament prophets.

Is teaching and beguiling my servants: to “beguile” is to mislead, deceive, lead astray, seduce. In certain languages it will be expressed as “cause to stray from the path” or “lead away from the true path.” The participle of the verb is used as a title, “the deceiver,” which is applied to Satan and his subordinates (12.9; 13.14; 19.20; 20.3, 8, 10). Here my servants means all believers, or it may be expressed as “all those who believe in me” or “all my followers” (see 1.1). The two verbs teaching and beguiling may be joined, “by means of her teaching she deceives (or, misleads) my servants.”

To practice immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols: the same evil conduct was being promoted by the Nicolaitans (see 2.14-15).

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on The Revelation to John. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1993. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .