“And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.”
King James Version (KJV)
18:3 Except ye be converted - The first step toward entering into the kingdom of grace, is to become as little children: lowly in heart, knowing yourselves utterly ignorant and helpless, and hanging wholly on your Father who is in heaven, for a supply of all your wants. We may farther assert, (though it is doubtful whether this text implies so much,) except ye be turned from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God:, except ye be entirely, inwardly changed, renewed in the image of God, ye cannot enter into the kingdom of glory. Thus must every man be converted in this life, or he can never enter into life eternal. Ye shall in no wise enter - So far from being great in it. #Matt 19:14|.
Mt 18:3 Except ye be converted. The Revised Version translates, "Except ye turn", which is correct. The Greek word "strepho" translated in the Common Version "be converted" is found in the New Testament in the active voice in every instance but one, and means "to turn". It means something that the subject is "to do", not something that is to be done for him. Become as little children. Humble, teachable and free from selfish ambition, like little children. Ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Instead of discussing who should be greatest in the kingdom of heaven, they had better inquire whether they were going to get in at all.