Meaning of "even unto those that believe on his name"?

Well, I might be naive, but when I read it at times it seems like it simply means when you read or hear Jesus' name you believe on it.

So let's look at those two verses again: 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: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

This passage is telling us how a person is born again (born of God, born of the Spirit, born from above). We are firstly to "believe on His name" and secondly to "receive Him" as Lord and Savior of our lives and souls. To believe on His name is to (1) fully believe all that is revealed about the Lord Jesus Christ(in both Testaments) without any reservations, and (2) to believe that He died for our personal sins and rose again for our personal justification.

Then we are are receive Him into our souls as our personal Lord and Savior. This includes repentance, since without repentance there is no remission of sins. Following this God gives us the gift of the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit regenerates us (the New Birth). Thus we are "born of God" and God gives us the authority ("power") to say that we are children of God by faith in Christ.

Upon belief in Jesus we are sealed with the Holy Spirit if what happened to the saints at Ephesus is what happens to everyone who believes in Jesus, though I think this may not be the case with everyone as I seem to vaguely recall two instances where someone received or was sealed with the Holy Spirit at a later time, one where Paul might have baptized believers and one other instance that I don't have a great memory of.

This is not my understanding of things, though I think my understanding of things might not be complete (and might possibly be wrong, if I was shown to be wrong I would hopefully accept that). John 3:16 says that God gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish but have everlasting life. Ephesians 1:10-14 (KJV) says, "10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: 11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory." I think it might be possible from these verses that it might be necessary to trust in Christ before you believe in him, but Paul was addressing the saints that are at Ephesus and doesn't seem to be explicitly saying that, it might simply be what happened with them. From what Jesus said in John 3:16 it seems there is no predicate (if I'm using that word correctly) to eternal life other than believing in him. Upon belief in Jesus we are sealed with the Holy Spirit if what happened to the saints at Ephesus is what happens to everyone who believes in Jesus, though I think this may not be the case with everyone as I seem to vaguely recall two instances where someone received or was sealed with the Holy Spirit at a later time, one where Paul might have baptized believers and one other instance that I don't have a great memory of. Sorry. John 14:23 (KJV) says, "Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” So if someone keeps Jesus' words, the Father and Jesus will literally come to that person and make their abode with him (or her). John 14:21 (KJV) says, "He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him." Revelation 3:20 (KJV) says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." This seems to say that Jesus will come into someone and sup with them if they believe in him, but I suppose it's possible Jesus and God will not make their abode with someone who doesn't keep Jesus' words, though Jesus will still come in to him and sup. Matthew 11:27 (KJV) says, "All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him." I think this means if Jesus wants to he will reveal the Father to someone. I don't know if someone even has to believe in him for this to happen. Hebrews 12:6 (KJV) says, "For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.” I don't know if this is explicitly the case, but if the Father has been revealed to someone he may receive that person as a son (or daughter), "the power to become the sons of God". 1 John 5:18 (KJV) says, "We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.” 1 John 4:7 (KJV) says, "Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.” I might not be correct, but if Jesus has revealed the Father to someone, through that relationship they will love, "being born of God". I think this all might somehow involve the Holy Spirit, thus possibly the meaning of being "born again" or "born of the spirit". My understanding here isn't great though. Romans 8:9-14 (KJV) says, "9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. 10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. 12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." This might be what it means to be "born again" or "born of the spirit".

John 1:12
King James Version
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:


I have multiple opinions of this, but I'm not sure which one is correct because I'm not sure what this means. This verse seems to be saying that those who received Jesus Jesus gave power to become the sons of God, and he gives that power as well to anyone who believes on his name, but I can also read it other ways depending on how you read the word "even". What does it mean to believe on his name though? Well, I might be naive, but when I read it at times it seems like it simply means when you read or hear Jesus' name you believe on it. So if you read or heard Jesus' name you would know who that person was talking about or who you were reading about and you would believe in him while reading or hearing his name, sort of like if someone said your Dad's name, there would be a part of your mind that might logically recognize that yes that is your Dad and yes he is or was an actual person, so if you believed on Jesus' name this would happen as opposed to if you heard his name or read his name and it was just like you were hearing or reading about him and you didn't actually believe in him, which might be what it is like for some people when they first read about him in the Bible, you're sort of just reading about him, but if you believe on his name when you read his name there is a part of you that is like "yes, Jesus, I believe in him, he's a real person". I honestly don't even know Jesus' real name though so I'm not sure I've even had the opportunity to do this. People say though that it means to believe on his character, which I guess makes sense, but for me it's not an obvious reading of the words, someone would have to tell me that that is what it means for me to read it that way and even then it's not the way the words read to me, I have to remind myself that that is what it means.

John 1:12
King James Version
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:


I have multiple opinions of this, but I'm not sure which one is correct because I'm not sure what this means. This verse seems to be saying that those who received Jesus Jesus gave power to become the sons of God, and he gives that power as well to anyone who believes on his name, but I can also read it other ways depending on how you read the word "even". What does it mean to believe on his name though? Well, I might be naive, but when I read it at times it seems like it simply means when you read or hear Jesus' name you believe on it. So if you read or heard Jesus' name you would know who that person was talking about or who you were reading about and you would believe in him while reading or hearing his name, sort of like if someone said your Dad's name, there would be a part of your mind that might logically recognize that yes that is your Dad and yes he is or was an actual person, so if you believed on Jesus' name this would happen as opposed to if you heard his name or read his name and it was just like you were hearing or reading about him and you didn't actually believe in him, which might be what it is like for some people when they first read about him in the Bible, you're sort of just reading about him, but if you believe on his name when you read his name there is a part of you that is like "yes, Jesus, I believe in him, he's a real person". I honestly don't even know Jesus' real name though so I'm not sure I've even had the opportunity to do this. People say though that it means to believe on his character, which I guess makes sense, but for me it's not an obvious reading of the words, someone would have to tell me that that is what it means for me to read it that way and even then it's not the way the words read to me, I have to remind myself that that is what it means.

There is a vast difference between believing to salvation and just believing a set of facts. Before I was born again, I considered myself a Christian, primarily because I was born in England. I believed the facts about Jesus. I could recite the apostles creed, courtesy of enforced attendance at an Anglican church for about 3 years. Saved? No way. Once I was free to choose, I refused to attend a church again. I did not stop believing the facts. It was as much impact as believing that Julius Caesar was emperor of Rome.

I heard the gospel a couple of times. I even went out the front at a Billy Graham crusade. It did not stick. A few years later, I was witnessed to one on one, by my boss in the Navy. I was convicted of my sin and realised that I would be rejected by God if I had to answer to Him then. That was the worst moment of my short life (I was 20). Then the good news came, that Jesus died to pay the price of all my sins. My boss led me along the "Roman road" as it is known. I received Jesus gladly, only because I was terrified of hell. God does not care about the motivation. Just as well, mine was entirely selfish.

John 1:12
King James Version
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:


I have multiple opinions of this, but I'm not sure which one is correct because I'm not sure what this means. This verse seems to be saying that those who received Jesus Jesus gave power to become the sons of God, and he gives that power as well to anyone who believes on his name, but I can also read it other ways depending on how you read the word "even". What does it mean to believe on his name though? Well, I might be naive, but when I read it at times it seems like it simply means when you read or hear Jesus' name you believe on it. So if you read or heard Jesus' name you would know who that person was talking about or who you were reading about and you would believe in him while reading or hearing his name, sort of like if someone said your Dad's name, there would be a part of your mind that might logically recognize that yes that is your Dad and yes he is or was an actual person, so if you believed on Jesus' name this would happen as opposed to if you heard his name or read his name and it was just like you were hearing or reading about him and you didn't actually believe in him, which might be what it is like for some people when they first read about him in the Bible, you're sort of just reading about him, but if you believe on his name when you read his name there is a part of you that is like "yes, Jesus, I believe in him, he's a real person". I honestly don't even know Jesus' real name though so I'm not sure I've even had the opportunity to do this. People say though that it means to believe on his character, which I guess makes sense, but for me it's not an obvious reading of the words, someone would have to tell me that that is what it means for me to read it that way and even then it's not the way the words read to me, I have to remind myself that that is what it means.

This is not my understanding of things, though I think my understanding of things might not be complete (and might possibly be wrong, if I was shown to be wrong I would hopefully accept that)

Well then why did you not accept what I posted? I carefully explained the meaning of that passage, and you went off to other Scriptures instead. So get back to this passage and tell us why you did not accept my post. Or frankly admit that you agree and that there is nothing more to be said.

I think the verse might be referring to those who received Jesus while he was here on earth, when taken into context with the surrounding verses.

That's great, but the part about receiving Jesus is troubling to me because of the way I read John 1.

John 1:10-13 (KJV)

10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
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:
13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

This seems to be simply saying that those who received Jesus while he was here, to them gave he power to become the sons of God (his own did not receive him, ie. Israel if I'm not mistaken, but some did, who happened to be Israelites, and maybe some who weren't Israelites). I'm not sure that we need to receive Jesus, Jesus does not make any indication of this in what he says in John 3:16. He says that God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. He doesn't say anything about needing to receive him. I think the notion of needing to receive him might be a misreading of what it says in John 1. If you take what Jesus says in John 3:16, all that apparently needs to be done is to believe in him. For arguments sake, what about someone that knew him while he was alive? They knew him personally, how could they not believe in him? Well, if they reject that he died for their sins or that he rose from the dead they could not believe in him though they knew him, since those things are true about him as well.

The word translated "in" is eis in Greek. It frequently translated "into". So it is more emphatic than what is implied by "in". The Amplified Bible puts it like this:
“For God so [greatly] loved and dearly prized the world, that He [even] gave His [One and] only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him [as Savior] shall not perish, but have eternal life."

It's too easy to overthink and over complicate God's word. "Receive" is a word we don't use in the same way now as historically. When someone wanted to see someone for business, they would give the receptionist their business card. The receptionist would give the card to whoever. If "whoever" was willing to see the person calling on them, the receptionist would say, "He will receive you now". That's how we should view receiving Jesus.

The English of the late 1500's has some odd turns of phrase that baffle us today. A modern version (or three) will help you understand what the text is saying here. I'd suggest using BibleGateway.org, which allows you to compare dozens of English versions at the same time.

I think I understand what you're saying, but I don't understand how the additional language can be added for trusting in him as Savior. If the original Greek doesn't include that language and basically says from what I can gather from the Greek pisteuōn (Strong's 4100: From pistis; to have faith, i.e. Credit; by implication, to entrust) eis (Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.) or to "have faith" "to or into" then I can see how it would be translated to believe in. From what I've researched I don't understand the correlation that pisteuōn should also mean "credit, by implication, to entrust" - πιστεύω pisteúō, pist-yoo'-o; from G4102; to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e. credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to Christ):—believe(-r), commit (to trust), put in trust with. (https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g4100/kjv/tr/0-1/) if the immediate meaning of the word is "to have faith". I CAN though see people stating that that correlation is there based on their presuppositional view of how those words should be read. The primary meaning of pisteuōn according to Strong's Definition appears to be "to have faith" with the correlation being made after. I don't understand Greek well enough to know if that correlation is warranted, but that is not my understanding of how language works, that a word could both mean "to have faith" and to "credit, by implication, to entrust" at the same time. Those are two different things, to have faith, and to credit, by implication, to entrust. I don't see how that correlation can be made, though I can see how someone could state that correlation is there based on what they say the scripture means.

One word can have different meanings or shades of meaning. eis can used, for example, "in" as in fact, "into" as they went into Egypt and so on. You can look it up on Bible Hub. This is why translators tend to go by the context, as well as the literal word for word.

but I can also read it other ways depending on how you read the word "even".