SPECIAL TOPIC: PARACLETE

SPECIAL TOPIC: PARACLETE (from John 14:16: “Another Helper”)

The term “another” translates a Greek term (allos)
that means “another of the same kind.” The Holy Spirit has been called “the
other Jesus” by G.
Campbell Morgan.

The second term is the Greek term “paraklētos” which is used of Jesus
in 1 John 2:1 (as intercessor) and of the Holy Spirit in John 14:26 and 16:7-14
(see Special Topic: Jesus and the Spirit). Its etymology is “one called
alongside to help,” in a legal sense. Therefore, the term “Advocate” accurately
translates this word. A form of this same Greek root, “comfort” (parakalēo,
see Special Topic: Comfort), is used of the Father in 2 Cor. 1:3-11.

The translation of the noun
“advocate” (paraklētos) comes from the Roman legal system. The
translation “Comforter” was first used by Wycliffe and reflects the use of the
verb form (parakaleō) in
the Septuagint (i.e., 2 Sam. 10:4; 1 Chr. 19:3; Job 16:2; Ps. 69:20; Eccl. 4:1;
Isa. 35:4). It may be the antonym of Satan (the accuser).

Both Philo and Josephus used the word in the sense of “intercessor” or
“adviser.”