Bible Dictionary
Comforter
The Comforter is the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus promised to send to His disciples. He helps, teaches, guides into truth, reminds believers of Christ’s words, and convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment.
Definition
The Comforter is the Holy Spirit, designated by the Greek word paracletos, meaning one called to another’s side for help. The term includes the ideas of advocate, defender, helper, and strengthener, so “Comforter” expresses only part of its meaning.
Biblical Usage
Jesus promised the Comforter to His disciples. The Spirit guides them into truth, teaches them, quickens their memory, glorifies Christ, and remains with them permanently. He also convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. In 1 John 2:1, the same word refers to Christ as Advocate with the Father.
Historical Background
The word is used in the Johannine writings for the Holy Spirit and in 1 John for Christ. Paul does not use the word itself, but the supplied material connects its idea with the intercession of Christ and the Spirit.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
The designation of the Holy Ghost (John 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7; R.V. marg., “or Advocate, or Helper; Gr. paracletos”). The same Greek word thus rendered is translated “Advocate” in 1 John 2:1 as applicable to Christ. It means properly “one who is summoned to the side of another” to help him in a court of justice by defending him, “one who is summoned to plead a cause.” “Advocate” is the proper rendering of the word in every case where it occurs. It is worthy of notice that although Paul nowhere uses the word paracletos, he yet presents the idea it embodies when he speaks of the “intercession” both of Christ and the Spirit (Rom. 8:27, 34).
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(John 14:16) The name given by Christ to the Holy Spirit. The original word is Paraclete, and means first Advocate, a defender, helper, strengthener, as well as comforter.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>kum'-fer-ter: This is translation of the word patakletos, in the Johannine writings. In the Gospel it occurs in Joh 14:16,26; 15:26; 16:7, and refers to the Holy Spirit. The word means literally, "called to one's side" for help. The translation "Comforter" covers only a small part of the meaning as shown in the context. The word "Helper" would be a more adequate translation. The Spirit does a great deal for disciples besides comforting them, although to comfort was a part of His work for them. The Spirit guides into truth; indeed, He is called the Spirit of truth. He teaches and quickens the memory of disciples and glorifies Christ in them. He also has a work to do in the hearts of unbelievers, convicting the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment (Joh 14-16). The Comforter remains permanently with disciples after He comes in response to the prayers of Christ. The word parakletos does not occur elsewhere in the Scriptures except in 1Jo 2:1. In Job 16:2 the active form of the word (parakletos is passive) is found in the plural, where Job calls his friends "miserable comforters." The word "Comforter" being an inadequate, and the word "Helper" a too indefinite, translation of the word in the Gospel of John, it would probably be best to transfer the Greek word into English in so far as it relates to the Holy Spirit (see PARACLETE).</p><p>In 1 Joh 2:1 the word parakletos refers to Christ: "If any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." Here the translation Advocate is quite correct. As the next verse shows the writer has in mind the intercession of Christ for Christians on the basis of His mediatorial work: "And he is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the whole world" (1Jo 2:2).</p><p>See ADVOCATE; HOLY SPIRIT; PARACLETE.</p><p>E. Y. Mullins</p>