Wette’s explanation seems to agree best with his own home. Here again compare the nice choice of verbs: apprehended (xatédaev) the Light as a principle, and received (mapédaBov) the Light as a person and the Master of the house.
THIRD DIVISION OF THE PROLOGUE. THE WORD RE- CEIVED (12-18).
12. As many as (éc01). Denoting individuals, as oi ive (ver. 11) signified the nation at large.
Received (¢sa8ov). The simple verb of the compound mapédafov in ver. 11. The meaning of the two verbs is sub- stantially the same (so Alford, De Wette, and apparently Meyer), though some recognize a difference, as Milligan and Moulton, who render tapéAa8ov accepted, and éraBov recewed, and say that “the former lays emphasis upon the well that con- sented (or refused) to receive, while the latter brings before us the possession gained: so that the full meaning is, As many as by accepting Him, received Him.” For the use of the simple verb, see v. 435 xill. 20; xix. 6.
Power (éfouvclav). Rev., the right. Six words are used for power in the New Testament: Bia, force, often oppressive, ex- hibiting itself in violence (Acts v. 26; xxvii. 41. Compare the kindred verb Budferas, Matt. xi. 12; “the kingdom of heaven is taken by violence): Sbvauus, natural ability (see on 2 Pet. i. 11): evépyeva, energy, power in exercise ; only of superhuman power, good or evil. Used by Paul only, and chiefly in the Epistles of the Imprisonment (Eph. i. 19; iii. 7; Col. ii. 12. Compare the kindred verb évepyéw, to put forth power, and see on Mark vi. 14; Jas. v. 16): layds, strength (see on 2 Pet. 11. 11. Compare the kindred verb icyvo, to be strong, and see on Luke xiv. 30; xvi. 3): «patos, might, only of God, relative and manz- fested power, dominion (Eph. i. 19; vi. 10; 1 Tim. vi. 16; 1 Pet. iv. 11. Compare the kindred verb xpatéw, to have power, to be master of, and see on Mark vii. 3; Acts ili. 11): éfoucia, liberty of action (ects, it is lawful), authority, delegated or arbitrary (John v.27; x. 18; xvii. 2; xix. 10,11. See on