Advocate

In the Gospel According to John 14:15–21 (NABRE), we encounter Jesus’ well-known description of the Holy Spirit as an Advocate, Paraclete, or helper. This view of the Holy Spirit is essential to the Evangelist’s view of the role of the third person of the Most Holy Trinity, so it’s worthwhile to take a closer look at exactly what the words advocate and “paraclete” mean.

The word παράκλητος (parakletos) enters English as paraclete. The Greek word consists of the prefix παρά (para), meaning “beside” or “next to,” and κλητός (kletos), meaning “called” or “invited.” A paraclete literally is “one who is called” or “one who is invited beside.” This word served as a legal term designating one’s defender. The word advocate likewise comes from Latin advocare, “to call to,” another legal term meaning “defender.”

When Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit as the Paraclete or Advocate, there are two possible meanings. First, Jesus could be referring to someone called beside us, possibly as a helper. More likely, however, especially in light of the Evangelist John’s tendency to use legalistic language, Jesus means to use the word Paraclete or Advocate in its legal context.

If so, who do you think might be prosecuting us? How is it that the Holy Spirit defends us? What can we do to help the defense build a strong case on our behalf?

related topics: blasphemy; Paraclete; Pentecost; spirit; Trinity

you also may like our two-part study of the prophets
Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume I: A Kingdom Divided examines the prophets in historical context using the First and Second Books of the Kings and other Old Testament passages written before the Babylonian Exile. Volume II: Restoration & Redemption looks at the post-exilic prophets. This 51-lesson Catholic Bible study builds on The United Kingdom of Israel: Saul, David & Solomon Foreshadow Christ the King. Click on these links to view a lesson from Volume I and another from Volume II.

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