What is the meaning of 'As many as received him' in John 1:12?

'As many as received him' signifies that all who genuinely accept Jesus Christ, through faith, are granted the authority to be called children of God. This inclusion highlights the tension of divine election and individual response, as it conveys that not everyone will respond, but those who do have been divinely appointed to receive this transformative grace. The term 'received' here implies an active embrace of Christ, which aligns with the larger narrative of the gospel, emphasizing that salvation is a work of God, transforming those He has called into His family.