Words · Greek Words · Lesson 4, word 1 of 5
παράκλητοςparakletos
One called alongside to help: advocate, intercessor, comforter.
Why this word is here. Used in the New Testament only by John, four times of the Holy Spirit, once of Christ; the older translations' 'Comforter' hides the courtroom.
What it means
Abbott-Smith: 'called to one's aid in a judicial cause; hence, an advocate, pleader, intercessor', in Greek usage a friend of the accused, called to speak for him. In rabbinic literature the word (borrowed into Hebrew) names an advocate before God. In the New Testament, specifically: of Christ (1 John 2:1), and of the Holy Spirit (John 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7).
John's Gospel surrounds the word with the Spirit's works: he teaches, reminds, testifies, convicts, guides. No single English word (Comforter, Helper, Advocate, Counsellor) covers the whole; translations have rotated through all of them.
Where you meet it
My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate before the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.
1 John 2:1 (BSB)
Anchor verse 'We have an advocate (parakletos) before the Father, Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.' The courtroom sense at full strength: a pleader for sinners, who is himself the atoning sacrifice of the next verse.
When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father—He will testify about Me.
John 15:26 (BSB)
'When the Advocate (parakletos) comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, He will testify about Me.'
But I tell you the truth, it is for your benefit that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.
John 16:7 (BSB)
'It is for your benefit that I go away. Unless I go away, the Advocate (parakletos) will not come to you.' Jesus calls the Spirit 'another Advocate' by implication of 14:16: Jesus does not leave his people unrepresented.
Why it matters
Parakletos names how God is for his people in trouble: Christ pleading in heaven, the Spirit present on earth, both personal, both 'called alongside'. It anchors the assurance of 1 John and the promises of the upper room in one word, and shows the Spirit's ministry as advocacy, not only power.
Watch out
Correct the gentle flattening: 'Parakletos means Comforter, someone who soothes feelings.' The lexicon's first sense is legal: an advocate in a cause, which is why 1 John 2:1 continues 'and He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins'. Comfort is among the Spirit's works (the related word paraklesis is encouragement; Acts 9:31 has the church 'walking in the encouragement of the Holy Spirit'), but a parakletos is counsel for the defence, not a sedative. The translation debate among Comforter, Helper and Advocate exists because the Greek word is wider than each.
In this lesson
- christos (Χριστός): The Anointed One, the Greek of mashiach, Messiah.
- kyrios (κύριος): Lord, master, the word the Greek Bible uses for God's name.
- baptizo (βαπτίζω): To dip, immerse, wash, to baptise.
- hagios (ἅγιος): Holy, sacred, and 'the saints', ordinary believers.
Sources
- Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon (1889)
- STEP Bible lexicon data (Abbott-Smith)
- SBL Greek New Testament (SBLGNT)
Review status: in-theological-review. Every Contend page passes a human theological review against the Statement of Faith before it is published as approved teaching. This section is in that queue.