go forth into all nations immediately after the day of Pentecost and wait at Jerusalera no longer. Their backwardness to do this, when compared with the expression before us, is note-worthy.
lEndued.^ This word means literaUy, " Be clothed upon, or invested with." It is frequently used in the New Testament, and implies a putting on something which we do not naturally possess. (See Rom. xiii. 14; 1 Cor. xv. 53; Gal. iii. 27 ; Col. lii. 9, 10.)
[Power from on high.] Some have thought that this expression is only a form of speech for the Holy Ghost Himself. It seems more likely that it signifies the energy and influence imparted by the Holy Ghost. It is very like the expression used about the Virgin Mary, " The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Most Highest shall overshadow thee." (Luke i. 80.) It would then mean in this place, " Tarry till ye be endued with that heavenly power which the Holy Ghost, whom the Father has promised, and I also send, shall impart to you.'*
Alford quotes a remark of Stier, that this " enduing with the Holy Ghost, was the true and complete clothing of the naked- ness of the fall." This appears to me only partially correct. I believe the " imputed righteousness of Christ, imto all and upon all them that believe," is the true garment which remedies the nakedness of the fall. (Rom. iii. 22.) The indwelling grace of the Spirit is doubtless never separate from that righteousness. But it is in itself a distinct and separate thing, and should be kept distinct in our minds.