Albert Barnes Commentary John 1:12

"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:" — John 1:12 (ASV)

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 in 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. (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 Barnes on 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 brothers (Matthew 25:40)—and are therefore regarded as the children of the Most High.

On his name. This is another way of saying believe in him. The name of a person is often used for the person himself (John 2:23; John 2:18; 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 person, though in the highest degree rich, learned, or honored. Christians are therefore more honored than any other people.
2. God gave them this privilege. It is not by their own works or merits; 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 in him. All others are the children of the wicked one, and no one who does not have confidence in God can be regarded as His child. No parent would acknowledge one as 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 therefore cannot be called His son.

"Power to become," or, "the right or privilege."