Read John 1 here (text coming …) or at Bible Gateway.
The Greek Testament has no Hebrew Paragraph Divisions. This is my outline of chapter one:
1:1-18 In the beginning was the Word, who became flesh, and dwelt among us
1:19-34 The witness of John the Baptist concerning Jesus
1:35-51 The testimony of John the Baptist and his disciples concerning Jesus
The first two paragraphs make their own Chiastic Structure, so that is my clue that I am on the right track.
John 1:1-18 Chiastic Structure
John 1:19-34 Chiastic Structure
But as many as received Him, to them He gave power to become the sons of God, even to those who believe on His name. Joh 1:12
What does it mean to receive Him?
To receive is Strong’s G2983, in Greek, λαμβανω lambano. According to Thayer’s Greek Lexicon, lambano means, “to take with the hand, to lay hold of any person or thing, in order to use it.” The Jewish translators of the Septuagint translated the Hebrew laqach, לקח, Strong’s H3947, into lambano. It is a primitive verb meaning, “to take” with a wide application. The ancient Hebrew pictographs are lamed + quph + chet.
lamed ל = the shepherd’s staff, thus teach, yoke, to, bind
quph ק = the sun on the horizon, thus condense, circle, time
chet ר = the wall, thus outside, divide, half
The parable told by the Hebrew Root Word is of the shepherd using his staff to gather (lamed) his sheep at the end of the day (quph), enclosing them behind the wall (chet). It is the same word used here:
But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave, for He shall receive me. Psa 49:15
The positive spin on this verb is merely to receive that which has been given, as indicated by the noun “learning,” which comes from this root. The negative spin on this verb is to take by force, as indicated by the nouns “captive,” “prey,” and “oppression,” which also come from this root.
Anyone can pray, “God, it is my desire to believe Jesus, and to receive Him, and become Your son (or daughter). I ask this in His name.” And He will give that power to everyone who is sincere.
If there are questions, these are good resources:
John 1, Greek language clarity – Christine Miller
The Diety of Messiah, part one, two, three, four, and five – Christine Miller
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