Matthew Poole and continuators on John 1:12

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 e.

Though the generality of those amongst whom Christ came, received him not in the manner before expressed; yet some did own him, believed in him, and submitted to him; and to as many as thus received him, not into their Houses onely, but into their Hearts.

He gave a Power, or a Right, or Priviledg; not that they might if they would be; but to be actually, to become, or be the Sons of God by Adoption; for Believers are already the Sons of God, Gal. 3.26. Though it doth not yet appear what they shall be in the Adoption, mentioned Rom. 8.23. which the Apostle calls the Redemption of the body, viz. in the Resurrection; hence Luke 20.36. the Children of God are called the Children of the Resurrection.

This is the Priviledg of all that believe in the name of Christ; by which term he opens the former term of Receiving: To receive Christ, and to believe in his Name, are the same thing. To believe in his Name, is either to believe in him, Acts 3.26. or in the Revelation of himself in the Promises of the Gospel. The proposition of Gods Word is the object of Faith of assent; but the person of the Mediator is the object of that Faith which receiveth Christ; and those alone have a Right to be the Sons of God, and to the Priviledges peculiar to Sons, who believe in Christ as revealed in the Promises of the word of God, and there exhibited to men.

Marginal references: Isa. 56.5. Rom. 8.15. 2 Pet. 1.4. 1 John 3.1.; right, or priviledg.