[metmom]

John 1:12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

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The word *right* is *exousian* - “power to act, authority”.

(a) power, authority, weight, especially: moral authority, influence, (b) in a quasi-personal sense, derived from later Judaism, of a spiritual power, and hence of an earthly power.

1849 eksousía (from 1537 /ek, “out from,” which intensifies 1510 /eimí, “to be, being as a right or privilege”) – authority, conferred power; delegated empowerment (”authorization”), operating in a designated jurisdiction.

In the NT, 1849 /eksousía (”delegated power”) refers to the authority God gives to His saints – authorizing them to act to the extent they are guided by faith (His revealed word).

http://concordances.org/greek/1849.htm *********************************************************************

[RobbyS]

And if two people claim to be “saints,” to have the power to interpret but offer differing interpretations of the same text? Then who decides between them?