John 1:12-13 (WEL) As many as did receive him, he gave them the right to be the children of God, that is, to those who believe in his name. 13 Who were not born from blood, from the will of the flesh, or from the will of a male, but from God.
V12 As many as did receive him, he gave them the right to be the children of God, that is, to those who believe in his name.
The Greek word receive is G2983. λαμβάνω lambanō, which means (Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament Based on Semantic Domains (Louw & Nida)) “to take hold of something or someone, with or without force – to take hold of, to grasp, to grab.”
Hence, there is the idea of “I want this,” thus, taking it. The opposite is to reject.
Word Study Dictionary: “To take up with a person, i.e., to receive him as a friend or guest into one’s house or society, equivalent to déchomai (G1209), to accept. Metaphorically of a teacher, to receive, acknowledge, embrace and follow his instructions (John 1:12; John 5:43; John 13:20; John 14:17); of doctrine, to embrace, admit, e.g., the word (Matthew 13:20; Mark 4:16); the witness (John 3:11, John 3:32-33); the words (John 12:48; John 17:8; 1 John 5:9).
To those who do believe and trust, accept and carry out God’s plan for salvation through Jesus Christ, God gives salvation and many other blessings. Mentioned here is the giving of the right to spiritual adoption by God of the believer.
The word receive at the end of John 1:11 is G3880 παραλαμβάνω paralambanō, which means to take alone.” (Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament Based on Semantic Domains (Louw & Nida)) “to take or bring someone along with – to take along, to bring along.” Also, “(Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament Based on Semantic Domains (Louw & Nida)) he took Peter, John, and James with him and went up into the mountain to pray Luke 9:28.”
Those who, by their own free will, believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ are the children of God, adopted by God the Father. See Romans 8:15 and Galatians 4:6. Adoption is one of the spiritual blessings (Ephesians 1:3) from believing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
V13 Who were not born from blood, from the will of the flesh, or from the will of a male, but from God.
Salvation is not from blood (ethnicity and natural conception and birth), nor the physical desire for sex, nor from a determination to father a child.
Salvation is only by faith in Jesus Christ alone (Acts 4:12).
We learn:
- What receive means.
- A few things that God gives.
Questions:
Have you received and embraced the Gospel of Jesus Christ?
How have you expressed your praise and thankfulness to God for all His blessings?