Gr.
paraklētos, a word used in the NT only by John (here;
John 14:26; 15:26; 16:7; 1 John 2:1). It is made up of the preposition
para, meaning,
“beside,” and the adjective
klētos,
“called,” or
“one called.” Hence the literal meaning is
“one called to the side of.” However, in Scripture usage the word seems to reflect more of an active sense such as is found in the corresponding verb
parakaleō,
“to exhort,” “to comfort,” hence,
“one who exhorts” (see
John 16:8). The Latin Fathers translated
paraklētos by
advocatus, but the technical meaning,
“advocate,” or
“lawyer,” applies to only a few of the rare occurrences of the word in pre-Christian and non-Christian literature. The word
“advocate” is not entirely appropriate to describe the work of either the Holy Spirit or Christ. The Father and Son work in the fullest cooperation for the salvation of man (
ch. 10:30). It is Satan’s work to present the Father as stern and harsh and unwilling to forgive the sinner, and as willing to forgive only upon the intercession of the Son. It is true that the incarnation, death, and resurrection of Christ made forgiveness possible. But both the Father and the Son love the sinner and work in unison for his salvation. An advocate in the human sense of the term is not needed to induce the Father to have mercy on the sinner. He who desires to learn of the love and compassion of the Father need but look at the Son (see on
ch. 1:18). Elsewhere in pre-Christian and non-Christian literature
paraklētos retains the more general meaning of
“one who stands up in behalf of another,” “a mediator,” “an intercessor,” “a helper.” See on
Matt. 5:4.