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Selected Verse: John 1:12 - King James
Verse |
Translation |
Text |
Joh 1:12 |
King James |
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
But as many--individuals, of the "disobedient and gainsaying people."
gave he power--The word signifies both authority and ability, and both are certainly meant here.
to become--Mark these words: Jesus is the Son of God; He is never said to have become such.
the sons--or more simply, "sons of God," in name and in nature.
believe on his name--a phrase never used in Scripture of any mere creature, to express the credit given to human testimony, even of prophets or apostles, inasmuch it carries with it the idea of trust proper only towards GOD. In this sense of supreme faith, as due to Him who "gives those that believe in Himself power to become sons of God," it is manifestly used here. |
Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
To as many as received him - The great mass; the people; the scribes and Pharisees rejected him. A few in his lifetime received him, and many more after his death. "To receive him," here, means to "believe" on him. This is expressed at the end of the verse.
Gave he power - This is more appropriately rendered in the margin by the word "right" or "privilege." Compare Act 1:7; Act 5:4; Rom 9:21; Co1 7:37; Co1 8:9; Co1 9:4-5.
Sons of God - Children of God by adoption. See the notes at Mat 1:1. Christians are called sons of God:
1. Because they are "adopted" by Him, Jo1 3:1.
2. Because they are "like Him;" they resemble Him and have His spirit.
3. They are united to the Lord Jesus, the Son of God, are regarded by Him as his brethren Mat 25:40, and are therefore regarded as the children of the Most High.
On his name - This is another way of saying believeth in "him." The "name" of a person is often put for the person himself, Joh 2:23; Joh 3:18; Jo1 5:13. From this verse we learn:
1. That to be a child of God is a privilege - far more so than to be the child of any human being, though in the highest degree rich, or learned, or honored. Christians are therefore more honored than any other persons.
2. God gave them this privilege. It is not by their own works or deserts; it is because God chose to impart this blessing to them, Eph 2:8; Joh 15:16.
3. This favor is given only to those who believe on him. All others are the children of the wicked one, and no one who has not "confidence in God" can be regarded as his child. No parent would acknowledge one for his child, or approve of him, who had no confidence in him, who doubted or denied all he said, and who despised his character. Yet the sinner constantly does this toward God, and he cannot, therefore, be called his Son. |
Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
As many as (ὅσοι)
Denoting individuals, as οἱ ἴδιοι (Joh 1:11) signified the nation at large.
Received (ἔλαβον)
The simple verb of the compound παρέλαβον in Joh 1:11. The meaning of the two verbs is substantially the same (so Alford, De Wette, and apparently Meyer), though some recognize a difference, as Milligan and Moulton, who render παρέλαβον accepted, and ἔλαβον received, and say that "the former lays emphasis upon the will that consented (or refused) to receive, while the latter brings before us the possession gained: so that the full meaning is, As many as by accepting Him, received Him." For the use of the simple verb, see Joh 5:43; Joh 13:20; Joh 19:6.
Power (ἐξουσίαν)
Rev., the right. Six words are used for power in the:New Testament: βία, force, often oppressive, exhibiting itself in violence (Act 5:26; Act 27:41. Compare the kindred verb βιάζεται, Mat 11:12; "the kingdom of heaven is taken by violence): δύναμις, natural ability (see on Pe2 2:11): ἐνέργεια, energy, power in exercise; only of superhuman power, good or evil. Used by Paul only, and chiefly in the Epistles of the Imprisonment (Eph 1:19; Eph 3:7; Col 2:12. Compare the kindred verb ἐνεργέω, to put forth power, and see on Mar 6:14; see on Jam 5:16): ἰσχύς, strength (see on Pe2 2:11. Compare the kindred verb ἰσχύω, to be strong, and see on Luk 14:30; see on Luk 16:3): κράτος, might, only of God, relative and manifested power, dominion (Eph 1:19; Eph 6:10; Ti1 6:16; Pe1 4:11. Compare the kindred verb κρατέω, to have power, to be master of, and see on Mar 7:3; see on Act 3:11): ἐξουσία, liberty of action (ἔξεστι, it is lawful), authority, delegated or arbitrary (Joh 5:27; Joh 10:18; Joh 17:2; Joh 19:10, Joh 19:11. See on Mar 2:10; see on Luk 20:20). Here, therefore, ἐξουσία is not merely possibility or ability, but legitimate right derived from a competent source - the Word.
To become (γενέσθαι)
As those who are born (Joh 1:13. Compare Joh 3:3, and Mat 5:45).
Sons (τέκνα)
Rev., more correctly, children. Son is υἱός. Τέκνον, child (τίκτω, to bring forth), denotes a relation based on community of nature, while υἱός, Son, may indicate only adoption and heirship. See Gal 4:7. Except in Rev 21:7, which is a quotation, John never uses υἱός to describe the relation of Christians to God, since he regards their position not as a result of adoption, but of a new life. Paul, on the other hand, regards the relation from the legal standpoint, as adoption, imparting a new dignity and relation (Rom 8:15; Gal 4:5, Gal 4:6). See also Jam 1:18; Pe1 1:3, Pe1 1:23, where the point of view is John's rather than Paul's. Τέκνον, indicating the relationship of man to God, occurs in Joh 1:12; Joh 11:52; Jo1 3:1, Jo1 3:2, Jo1 3:10; Jo1 5:2, and always in the plural.
Believe on (πιστευούσιν εἰς)
The present participle, believing, indicates the present and continuous activity of faith. The word is used by John, sometimes with the dative case simply meaning to believe a person or thing; i.e., to believe that they are true or speak the truth. Thus, to believe the Scripture (Joh 2:22); believe me (Joh 4:21); believe Moses, his writings, my words (Joh 4:46). At other times with a preposition, εἰς, into, which is rendered believe in, or believe on. So here, Joh 6:29; Joh 8:30; Jo1 5:10. See the two contrasted in Joh 6:29, Joh 6:30; Joh 8:30, Joh 8:31; Jo1 5:10. To believe in, or on, is more than mere acceptance of a statement. It is so to accept a statement or a person as to rest upon them, to trust them practically; to draw upon and avail one's self of all that is offered to him in them. Hence to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ is not merely to believe the facts of His historic life or of His saving energy as facts, but to accept Him as Savior, Teacher, Sympathizer, Judge; to rest the soul upon Him for present and future salvation, and to accept and adopt His precepts and example as binding upon the life.
Name (ὄνομα)
See on Mat 28:19. Expressing the sum of the qualities which mark the nature or character of a person. To believe in the name of Jesus Christ the Son of God, is to accept as true the revelation contained in that title. Compare Joh 20:31. |
Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
But as many as received him - Jews or Gentiles; that believe on his name - That is, on him. The moment they believe, they are sons; and because they are sons, God sendeth forth the Spirit of his Son into their hearts, crying, Abba, Father. |
Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
Gave he power - Εξουσιαν, Privilege, honor, dignity, or right. He who is made a child of God enjoys the greatest privilege which the Divine Being can confer on this side eternity. Those who accept Jesus Christ, as he is offered to them in the Gospel, have, through his blood, a right to this sonship; for by that sacrifice this blessing was purchased; and the fullest promises of God confirm it to all who believe. And those who are engrafted in the heavenly family have the highest honor and dignity to which it is possible for a human soul to arrive. What an astonishing thought is this! The sinner, who was an heir to all God's curses, has, through the sacrifice of Jesus, a claim on the mercy of the Most High, and a right to be saved! Even justice itself, on the ground of its holy and eternal nature, gives salvation to the vilest who take refuge in this atonement; for justice has nothing to grant, or Heaven to give, which the blood of the Son of God has not merited. |
16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
23 Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did.
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
1 The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
4 Have we not power to eat and to drink?
5 Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?
9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.
37 Nevertheless he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power over his own will, and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth well.
21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?
4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.
31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.
31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
30 As he spake these words, many believed on him.
30 They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work?
29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.
30 As he spake these words, many believed on him.
29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
46 So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum.
21 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.
22 When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.
2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.
2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
52 And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.
12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
20 And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor.
10 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,)
11 Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.
10 Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?
2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.
18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.
11 And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly wondering.
3 For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders.
11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
3 Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord taketh away from me the stewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed.
30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.
11 Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.
16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
14 And king Herod heard of him; (for his name was spread abroad:) and he said, That John the Baptist was risen from the dead, and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him.
12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.
19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
11 Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.
12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.
41 And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmoveable, but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the waves.
26 Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.
6 When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him.
20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
43 I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.
11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.