Take or Take, Receive or Receive

[agedman]

it is so very important to engage context to properly understand words and concepts in the Scripture.

“Take” and “Receive” are not completely interchangeable, but for this thread they may be treated as such if need obliges.

Below are some uses of the word to demonstrate how dramatic the change of concept occurs when aligned with action.

1. The prisoner may receive a beating while in custody.

2. I receive a check in the account each month for retirement.

3. You may receive a shock from the faulty outlet.

4. Be sure to take this out with the garbage.

5. That scheme will take them to the cleaners.

6. Take my life and let it be, consecrated, Lord, to Thee.


The purpose of this thread is to explore in what manner one is to picture these two words in the context of Scripture.

For example:

Which statement above would fit the definition of use for the word “received” in John 1: “12But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, 13who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.”

Did the person receive as one having no desire for a beating?

Did one receive as one is given a retirement check automatically deposited each moth?

Did one receive as a shock or surprise?

Perhaps you have a different sentence that gives an example of a definition exploring a side that is not revealed by this OP.

Use it, and share how Scriptures use the word.

This thread is limited to the two words, “take,” and “receive.”

The fact is that context must be used if one is to avoid misrepresentation of the meaning of a passage.

PLEASE!

Let’s not make this thread into some arguments over a view of soteriology.

This thread is not for that purpose, but to draw distinction in hope edification is achieved.

 

[Aaron]

As plowed ground receives the sower's seed.

 

[Martin Marprelate]

My understanding is that the verb 'receive' can be active or passive in the sense of the recipient either doing or not doing something.

If I receive a letter through the post, I am entirely passive. I did nothing; the letter arrived. Likewise a speeding ticket; it comes whether I want it or not.

But at a wedding reception, the bride and groom receive their guests; they greet them, shake their hands and welcome them into the venue. This is active.

When the Pharisees said, 'This Man receives sinners' (Luke 15:2), they meant that our Lord welcomed sinners, ate with them and taught them. Again, this is an active sense.

I hope this is helpful.

 

[agedman]

My understanding is that the verb 'receive' can be active or passive in the sense of the recipient either doing or not doing something.

If I receive a letter through the post, I am entirely passive. I did nothing; the letter arrived. Likewise a speeding ticket; it comes whether I want it or not.

But at a wedding reception, the bride and groom receive their guests; they greet them, shake their hands and welcome them into the venue. This is active.

When the Pharisees said, 'This Man receives sinners' (Luke 15:2), they meant that our Lord welcomed sinners, ate with them and taught them. Again, this is an active sense.

I hope this is helpful.

How would you then characterize the word “receive” in John 1?

 

[agedman]

As plowed ground receives the sower's seed.

Is this how you would view the word “receive” in John 1?

 

[TCassidy]

Is this how you would view the word “receive” in John 1?

Received (ελαβον) in John 1:12 is a second aorist active indicative third person plural verb.

Something done (active voice) in the past (second aorist) by them - the ones being talked about (third person plural).

 

[Martin Marprelate]

How would you then characterize the word “receive” in John 1?

It is active: they received Him into their hearts by faith and trusted Him for salvation..
Of course they were only able to do that because God had opened their hearts to receive Him ((Acts 16:14; 1 Thessalonians 1:4 etc.).

 

[agedman]

Received (ελαβον) in John 1:12 is a second aorist active indicative third person plural verb.

Something done (active voice) in the past (second aorist) by them - the ones being talked about (third person plural).

Not everyone has a command of vocabulary terms and sentence structure beyond recognition of simple “Run Spot.”

For just as in “Run, Spot. Run!” There is no where, when, why answered. But that is not true for the typical Greek.

Therefore, for the readers who are less scholarly, would you use “receive” appropriately in a sentence that shows the manner of the perception to use, or select from one offered in the OP.

The typical reader of your post would get far better understanding.

One must also recall, as you often state, that context is the true indicator.

John 1:12 folks are not pictured in isolation but are in contrast to those of John 1:11.

 

[agedman]

It is active: they received Him into their hearts by faith and trusted Him for salvation..
Of course they were only able to do that because God had opened their hearts to receive Him ((Acts 16:14; 1 Thessalonians 1:4 etc.).

It is active in the context of relishing in the delivery of light.

Would not context demand the word be taken as one who receives the retirement check in an automatic deposit.

Unlike the overt action engaging strength to turn away (John 1:11), or to walk out and get the mail out of the box, the context obliges the assumption of no output or action to gain the light.

The light was given some actively turned from the light and some relished in the light.

 

[agedman]

The Scriptures gives this as the definition of “faith”

1Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2For by it the men of old gained approval.​

If faith is the assurance (the reality) of hope (trust), the persuasion of proof in matters not discerned (perceived), then is it not completely logical that those who receive the light and do not turn away are in that light given the assurance of hope, the reality of trust?

That person does not (according to the definition of faith) discern or is capable in the glare to perceive, yet by not turning away none the less are the recipient of the light.

The question of “receive” being some action in which one is a participant in the activity in some overt manor other than relishing in the light seems even contrary to the Scripture definition of “faith” given in Hebrews 1.