1:12 power. “Power” here is the word for “authority” or “right.”

1:12 sons of God. “Sons of God” is actually “children of God.” By regeneration, they become new creatures, “born…of God” (see John 1:13). Note the connection between creation (John 1:10—“made by Him”) and regeneration (John 1:13—“born of God”).

1:12 believe. Note also that “receiving Him” is here defined as “believing on His name,” with all that the latter implies (see the first note on John 1:1).