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John 1:12  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: (KJV)
But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, (NASB)
Calvin on the themes of regeneration and adoption as found in John 1:12:
 He gave them power. The word ἐξουσία [exousia] here appears to me to mean a right, or claim; and it would be better to translate it so, in order to refute the false opinions of the Papists; for they wickedly pervert this passage by understanding it to mean, that nothing more than a choice is allowed to us, if we think fit to avail ourselves of this privilege. In this way they extract free-will from this phrase; but as well might they extract fire from water. There is some plausibility in this at first sight; for the Evangelist does not say that Christ makes them sons of God, but that he gives them power to become such. Hence they infer that it is this grace only that is offered to us, and that the liberty to enjoy or to reject it is placed at our disposal. But this frivolous attempt to catch at a single word is set aside by what immediately follows; for the Evangelist adds, that they become the sons of God, not by the will which belongs to the flesh, but when they are born of God. But if faith regenerates us, so that we are the sons of God, and if God breathes faith into us from heaven, it plainly appears that not by possibility only, but actually—as we say—is the grace of adoption offered to us by Christ. —John Calvin, Calvin’s Commentaries Volume XVII, Commentary on the Gospel according to John Volume I (Baker Books, 2009), 41.
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3 Comments:
#1 || 10·02·04··09:22 || Daniel
If we phrase the opening in the negative, we get, "as many as did not reject him" - which can help to illumine the contrast that may not be as evident when expressed positively "as many as received him". John is saying that there was a group of people that Jesus came to (the Jews), and some of that group rejected the notion that Jesus was the Messiah, and others did not. The grand difference between these two groups, or so John writes, is not that some chose Jesus and others didn't - but that God gave some of them the right to claim sonship by adoption, and others God did not give this right to. We understand that this "right" is not something men can merit, but is received as unmerited favor - or, as we commonly describe it: grace. The point is underscored in the closing thought, that it was not by man's will that this claim to sonship occurred in the one group - but it came to them because God willed it to do so.
That's how I understand it at least.
#2 || 10·02·04··09:29 || Daniel
Addendum: I find that a lot of people read that text, and forget that it is talking (in the context) about those people whom *the incarnate* Jesus came to. I mean a lot of people assume that because Christianity is open to all, that this text must mean that Jesus came to "the world" and having injected this universal spin into the text, I think they miss the distinction intended by the author.
I added the addendum, not so much for clarity, but rather because I forgot to say hi, and all that.
Hi. Dave, Don. Good to see you guys.
#3 || 10·02·04··11:42 || David
“... it is talking (in the context) about those people whom *the incarnate* Jesus came to.”
I think Calvin made that point himself, but looking back, I can’t find it.