July 22, 2026

Wednesday Word Study | Children - Episode 8

Wednesday Word Study | Children - Episode 8

Originally written September 28, 2011
posted here: https://forthesakeofthetruth.com/2011/09/28/wednesday-word-study-children/

Children

John 1:12

12) But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,

Children
This is the Strong’s Greek Concordance Number: 5043
Transliteration: teknon
Phonetic Spelling: (tek’-non)
Definition: anyone living in full dependence on the heavenly Father, i.e. fully (willingly) relying upon the Lord in glad submission.

In this particular scripture the word children means anyone living in full dependence on the heavenly Father, i.e. fully (willingly) relying upon the Lord in glad submission.

It has often been said that the kingdom of God is backwards to the world. In God’s kingdom you give to receive where the world takes and holds onto, to have. And this is only one of many comparisons.

The scripture above is another such precept. When we receive Christ we are usually strong and mentally self-sufficient. Even in the Jewish culture the age of 12 or 13 is considered the beginning of adulthood for spiritual purposes. It is the point where we can take accountability for our decisions.

We’ve grown from a baby that is totally dependent on our parents to provide us with everything, to someone seemingly self-sufficient. But it is at this point that we must make the choice to reverse the process and transition into someone who is living in full dependence on the heavenly Father.

It doesn’t happen overnight. It is a gradual process, a releasing of control over our own lives. But with time and persistence, we will grow in reverse and become totally dependent on the Father and then can rightfully be called His child.

But as many as (actively take hold of) Him, to them He gave the (authority) to (transition into) (a child living in full dependence) on God, even to those who (believe in a way that leads to and proceeds from God’s inbirthing of faith) in (the manifestation or revelation of Jesus’ character).

In the notes are the other words in this scripture with their root meanings.

Received
This is the Strong’s Greek Concordance Number: 2983
Transliteration: lambanó
Phonetic Spelling: (lam-ban’-o)
Definition: to lay hold by aggressively (actively) accepting

Right
This is the Strong’s Greek Concordance Number: 1849
Transliteration: exousia
Phonetic Spelling: (ex-oo-see’-ah)
Definition: authority, conferred power; delegated empowerment (”authorization”)

Become
This is the Strong’s Greek Concordance Number: 1096
Transliteration: ginomai
Phonetic Spelling: (ghin’-om-ahee)
Definition: come into being/manifestation implying motion, movement, or growth, transitioning

Believe
This is the Strong’s Greek Concordance Number: 4100
Transliteration: pisteuó
Phonetic Spelling: (pist-yoo’-o)
Definition: the believing that leads to/proceeds from God’s inbirthing of faith.

Name
This is the Strong’s Greek Concordance Number: 3686
Transliteration: onoma
Phonetic Spelling: (on’-om-ah)
Definition: the manifestation or revelation of someone’s character(name)

Each Wednesday I will be posting a Wednesday Word Study to further elaborate on a significant word from the previous Monday’s Meditation episode. On Mondays I focus on one verse to meditate on for the week. On the Wednesday after I drill down to look at one specific word to gain further information and knowledge. Then on the following Friday I will post a teaching pulling it all together. Each week will provide a thorough study into a verse, a word, and then the overall concept.

Shop all versions of my novels here: Shop Here

My Media Website: NancyJacksonPodcast.com

Check out my website: NancyJacksonAuthor.com

Follow me here:

Substack: