Quote:
Originally Posted by Jaymax
If one 'loves' hypocritical religious bigots, one will say to them "go and sin no more", however Jesus just called them a "Pit of vipers! Hypocrites! Blind guides!" etc 
Matthew 23 |
No, that was the scribes and Pharisees, They would not follow Jesus. The Christians are not the vipers. The Christians that follow Jesus are the sons and
But those that received him, to them he gave authority to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his Name,
GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
However, he gave the right to become God's children to everyone who believed in him.
King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the children of God, even to them that believe on his name:
American King James Version
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:
American Standard Version
But as many as received him, to them gave he the right to become children of God, even to them that believe on his name:
Douay-Rheims Bible
But as many as received him, he gave them power to be made the sons of God, to them that believe in his name.
Darby Bible Translation
but as many as received him, to them gave he the right to be children of God, to those that believe on his name;
English Revised Version
But as many as received him, to them gave he the right to become children of God, even to them that believe on his name:
Webster's Bible Translation
But as many as received him, to them he gave power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
Weymouth New Testament
But all who have received Him, to them--that is, to those who trust in His name--He has given the privilege of becoming children of God;
World English Bible
But as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become God's children, to those who believe in his name:
Young's Literal Translation
but as many as did receive him to them he gave authority to become sons of God -- to those believing in his name,
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
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
Acts 1:7;
Acts 5:4;
Romans 9:21;
1 Corinthians 7:37;
1 Corinthians 8:9;
1 Corinthians 9:4-5.
Sons of God - Children of God by adoption. See the notes at
Matthew 1:1. Christians are called sons of God:
1. Because they are "adopted" by Him,
1 John 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
Matthew 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,
John 2:23;
John 3:18;
1 John 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,
Ephesians 2:8;
John 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.
Clarke's Commentary on the Bible
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.
Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible
But as many as received him,.... This is explained, in the latter part of the text, by believing in his name; for faith is a receiving him as the word, and Son of God, as the Messiah, Saviour, and Redeemer; a receiving grace out of his fulness, and every blessing from him, as a justifying righteousness, pardon of sin, and an inheritance among them that are sanctified; for though the generality rejected him, there were some few that received him:
to them gave he power to become the sons of God; as such were very early called, in distinction from the children of men, or of the world; see
Genesis 6:2. To be the sons of God is a very special favour, a great blessing, and high honour: saints indeed are not in so high a sense the sons of God as Christ is; nor in so low a sense as angels and men in common are; nor in such sense as civil magistrates; nor merely by profession of religion; much less by natural descent; but by adopting grace: and in this, Christ, the word, has a concern, as all the three divine persons have. The Father predestinated men to the adoption of children, secures this blessing for them in the covenant of his grace, and puts them among the children, and assigns them a goodly heritage: the Spirit, and who is therefore called the spirit of adoption, discovers and applies this blessing to them, and witnesses to their spirits that they are the children of God: and Christ, the word, or Son of God, not only espoused their persons, and in time assumed their nature, and by the redemption of them opened a way for their reception of the adoption of children; but actually bestows upon them the "power", as it is here called, of becoming the sons of God: by which is meant, not a power of free will to make themselves the sons of God, if they will make use of it; but it signifies the honour and dignity conferred on such persons: so Nonnus calls it, "the heavenly honour"; as indeed, what can be a greater? It is more honourable than to be a son or daughter of the greatest potentate on earth: and it is expressive of its being a privilege; for so it is an undeserved and distinguishing one, and is attended with many other privileges; for such are of God's household and family, and are provided for by him; have liberty of access unto him; are Christ's free men, and are heirs to an incorruptible inheritance. This is a privilege that excels all others, even justification and remission of sins; and is an everlasting one: and it also intends the open right which believers have unto this privilege, and their claim of it: hence it follows,
even to them that believe in his name; that is, in himself, in Christ, the word: the phrase is explanative of the former part of the verse, and is a descriptive and manifestative character of the sons of God; for though the elect of God, by virtue of electing grace, and the covenant of grace, are the children of God before faith; and were so considered in the gift of them to Christ, and when he came into the world to gather them together, and save them; and so, antecedent to the Spirit of God, being sent down into their hearts, to make this known to them; yet no man can know his adoption, nor enjoy the comfort of it, or claim his interest in it, until he believes.
Vincent's Word Studies
As many as (ὅσοι)
Denoting individuals, as οἱ ἴδιοι (
John 1:11) signified the nation at large.
Received (ἔλαβον)
The simple verb of the compound παρέλαβον in
John 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
John 5:43;
John 13:20;
John 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 (
Acts 5:26;
Acts 27:41. Compare the kindred verb βιάζεται,
Matthew 11:12; "the kingdom of heaven is taken by violence): δύναμις, natural ability (see on
2 Peter 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 (
Ephesians 1:19;
Ephesians 3:7;
Colossians 2:12. Compare the kindred verb ἐνεργέω, to put forth power, and see on
Mark 6:14; see on
James 5:16): ἰσχύς, strength (see on
2 Peter 2:11. Compare the kindred verb ἰσχύω, to be strong, and see on
Luke 14:30; see on
Luke 16:3): κράτος, might, only of God, relative and manifested power, dominion (
Ephesians 1:19;
Ephesians 6:10;
1 Timothy 6:16;
1 Peter 4:11. Compare the kindred verb κρατέω, to have power, to be master of, and see on
Mark 7:3; see on
Acts 3:11): ἐξουσία, liberty of action (ἔξεστι, it is lawful), authority, delegated or arbitrary (
John 5:27;
John 10:18;
John 17:2;
John 19:10,
John 19:11. See on
Mark 2:10; see on
Luke 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 (
John 1:13. Compare
John 3:3, and
Matthew 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
Galatians 4:7. Except in
Revelation 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 (
Romans 8:15;
Galatians 4:5,
Galatians 4:6). See also
James 1:18;
1 Peter 1:3,
1 Peter 1:23, where the point of view is John's rather than Paul's. Τέκνον, indicating the relationship of man to God, occurs in
John 1:12;
John 11:52;
1 John 3:1,
1 John 3:2,
1 John 3:10;
1 John 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 (
John 2:22); believe me (
John 4:21); believe Moses, his writings, my words (
John 4:46). At other times with a preposition, εἰς, into, which is rendered believe in, or believe on. So here,
John 6:29;
John 8:30;
1 John 5:10. See the two contrasted in
John 6:29,
John 6:30;
John 8:30,
John 8:31;
1 John 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
Matthew 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
John 20:31.
Geneva Study Bible
{6} But as many as received him, to them gave he {s} power to become the sons of God,
even to them that believe on his name:
(6) The Son being shut out by the majority of his people, and acknowledged but by a few, regenerates those few by his own strength and power, and receives them into that honour which is common to all the children of God, that is, to be the sons of God.
(s) He condescended to give them this power to take them to be his children.
People's New Testament
1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God. The Revised Version reads, children of God, which is better. While the nation rejected him, some received him. To such as receive him in every age he gives power to become the children of God. The manner in which he is received is given:
Even to them that believe on his name. It is not declared that they are made children by believing, but to the believer he gives the power to 'become' a child. When one believes in Christ, his faith becomes a power to lead him to yield himself to God and to receive the Word into his heart.
Wesley's Notes
1:12 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.
King James Translators' Notes
power: or, the right, or, privilege
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
12. 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.
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary 1:6-14 John the Baptist came to bear witness concerning Jesus. Nothing more fully shows the darkness of men's minds, than that when the Light had appeared, there needed a witness to call attention to it. Christ was the true Light; that great Light which deserves to be called so. By his Spirit and grace he enlightens all that are enlightened to salvation; and those that are not enlightened by him, perish in darkness. Christ was in the world when he took our nature upon him, and dwelt among us. The Son of the Highest was here in this lower world. He was in the world, but not of it. He came to save a lost world, because it was a world of his own making. Yet the world knew him not. When he comes as a Judge, the world shall know him. Many say that they are Christ's own, yet do not receive him, because they will not part with their sins, nor have him to reign over them. All the children of God are born again. This new birth is through the word of God as the means, 1Pe 1:23, and by the Spirit of God as the Author. By his Divine presence Christ always was in the world. But now that the fulness of time was come, he was, after another manner, God manifested in the flesh. But observe the beams of his Divine glory, which darted through this veil of flesh. Men discover their weaknesses to those most familiar with them, but it was not so with Christ; those most intimate with him saw most of his glory. Although he was in the form of a servant, as to outward circumstances, yet, in respect of graces, his form was like the Son of God His Divine glory appeared in the holiness of his doctrine, and in his miracles. He was full of grace, fully acceptable to his Father, therefore qualified to plead for us; and full of truth, fully aware of the things he was to reveal.
Hosea 1:10 "Yet the Israelites will be like the sand on the seashore, which cannot be measured or counted. In the place where it was said to them, 'You are not my people,' they will be called 'children of the living God.'
John 1:7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe.
John 1:11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.
John 3:18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.
John 11:52 and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one.
Romans 8:14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.
Romans 8:16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children
daughters of God.
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