WHAT IS A PARACLETE?

Jesus promised us an additional paraclete from the Father (John 14:16, 26) - one who would be like Him. A quick survey of translations finds the following meanings for paraclete (παρακλητον): comforter (KJV), advocate (NIV), helper (ESV & NASB), and counselor (RSV). The word paraclete is so rich in meaning that it is probably impossible to find a single English word which can plumb its depths (Morris, John, p. 666).

The verb form of this word (παρακαλεω) means "to call along side" and can be used for either exhortation or consolation (BAGD). The noun (παρακλητος) can certainly carry a sense of comfort or consolation, and the early church fathers translated it this way. The word can also be used in a technical sense of attorney or advocate. We can see this sense of the word used for Jesus and His role in God's courtroom when we sin.  "If anyone sins, we have an Advocate (παρακλητον) with the Father, Jesus Christ, the righteous" (1 John 2:1). Jesus is our defense attorney whenever we are charged with sin before a Holy God. The Holy Spirit, in John 14:16, is "another" παρακλητον like Jesus so many opt for "advocate" in keeping with the image of a defense attorney in 1 John 2:1.

However, by the time of the New Testament the technical legal meaning of the word had diminished in usage (BAGD) and the word had taken on a more general meaning of a helper - one who comes to the aid of another. This is a common way to understand the word.  The context of John 14 supports a meaning that is less technical and more supportive given the emphasis on teaching and peace (John 14:26-27). Helper moves us in this direction, but I think it loses some of the richness of the meaning we find for paraclete.

The word paraclete was used for a friend of an accused person not his hired attorney. The friend was more than just a helper. He was called alongside to speak about a person's character and provide personal support for his friend in need (Moulton & Milligan, p.485). He was first a friend.  He was a "pleader" on behalf of his friend. I like the thought that the Holy Spirit, as our paraclete, is a "legal friend" (Morris, John, p.649). He is our helper in a legal sense, but he is more than a hired helper and more than a legal advocate. The paraclete is a true friend who pleads for us and stands with us in our times of need.

We have two friends in high places. Jesus is our first paraclete. He is now in heaven. The Holy Spirit is our friend on earth. He is with us, and in us, here and now.  They both vouch for us when we have needs so that we find peace in their friendship.  We have two friends who stand with us through our struggles in life - one friend in heaven and one friend on earth! With friends like these, we are never alone and never at loss.