The simplest and purest meaning of “advocate” as found in the biblical text is derived from the concept of the Hebrews in occupied Israel needing lawyers to plead their cases before the Roman courts which instituted civil and criminal laws they failed to understand. These lawyers would represent the Jews by pleading cases on their behalf in the Roman judicial / tribunal legal system.
It’s with this understanding that John chooses to use the Greek word “parakletos” on 4 occasions in his Gospel. First in John 14:16-17, where Jesus explains to His followers,
I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper (parakletos – one called alongside to help), that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.
In John 14:26, some English Bible translations use the word “comforter” where “parakletos” appears … “But the Helper (parakletos – comforter and/or counselor), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.”
Notice that Jesus Christ defines the noun, “parakletos” as a clear and distinct reference to God’s Holy Spirit – whether that be one’s helper, which is called alongside (in relationship / partnership with) believers, or one’s comforter and assistant to teach and bring the things of the Lord to one’s remembrance (Greek compound word – hupomimnesko – meaning to put in one’s mind / remind quietly).
The Apostle John expands the role of God’s Holy Spirit, and hopefully enlarges our understanding of His work within us in 15:26-27,
When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of Truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify (witness / bear record) about Me, and you will testify (bear witness / report) also, because you have been with Me from the beginning (of His earthly ministry).
Now, let’s consider the last use of “parakletos” in John’s Gospel which occurs in 16:7-11, “But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment; concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me; and concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father and you no longer see Me; and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged.” The / our Helper (parakletos) is now seen as the One bringing about conviction, thus being a believer’s active partner in sharing and bearing witness of the Good News (Gospel message) of Jesus Christ.
Therefore, our helper, the “parakletos” which according to Christ’s words as recorded in the scriptures, is unmistakably God’s Holy Spirit / the Spirit of Truth. Isn’t He exactly what every believer needs for life and godliness? (See 2 Peter 1:3) This provision of our Lord is granted to help us live life in the flesh, just as Christ Himself experienced during His tenure in the flesh (humanity) on earth! What an incredible gift … rivaling any other except for the forgiveness of one’s sin and salvation itself, which is the necessitated prerequisite, and is only granted to believers in accordance with grace through faith (See Ephesians 2:8-9)!
In 1 John 2:1 “parakletos” is translated as “Advocate” in our English Bibles. Afterall, who doesn’t need an “Advocate” when we have an adversary that is constantly (24/7) accusing us before God? (see 1 Peter 5:8, Revelation 12:10) In this passage, Jesus Christ Himself is present as the “Advocate” (parakletos) for each and every believer! Satan’s attempt to prosecute us as guilty of sin and deservant of death is continually and successfully rebutted and debunked being totally refuted, as well as unequivocally discredited by our Lord! The remedy for our sin is inexhaustible no matter what efforts or spin the evil one attempts! The work of Jesus Christ is enough and will continue to be fully adequate right up until that final moment in history when the accuser and deceiver, the true Christian’s adversary, is eliminated! At that point, He is 100% ineffective, being cast into the lake of fire after leading his final rebellion against the Lord and His people (Gog & Magog) in Revelation 20:7-10.
Would you simply take a moment right now and give thanks for your “parakletos” – an ever-present Helper (God’s Holy Spirit / Spirit of Truth) and one’s 24/7 Advocate (Jesus Christ) before the Father?
His & yours, Pastor Frank
