John 14:16-18

Another. Gr. allos, “another of the same kind.” Jesus Himself was a Comforter (see 1 John 2:1, where “advocate” is the translation of the word here rendered “Comforter”; see below under “Comforter”). He would leave His disciples (John 13:33), but He would petition the Father to send One who was like Him to remain with the disciples, not temporarily, as He had remained, but “for ever.”

Comforter. 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.

The verb parakaleō, though translated “to comfort” 23 times in the NT, is also rendered “exhort” 19 times. To call the Holy Spirit a “Comforter” is to emphasize but one feature of His work. He is also an “Exhorter.” In fact, this latter meaning is the prominent feature of the work of the Spirit as outlined by John. He will “teach” and “bring all things to … remembrance” (ch. 14:26). He will testify of Christ (ch. 15:26). He will “reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment” (ch. 16:8). He will guide into all truth and show things to come (ch. 16:13). He will glorify Christ and receive from Him and impart to the disciples (ch. 16:14).

For ever. Not temporarily, like Christ during His earthly ministry.