Advocate. Counselor. Helper. Which is it? (Defining the Holy Spirit)

Jesus is in the Upper Room with the disciples. He knows He’s leaving there to be betrayed, tried, and crucified. And He wants to offer encouragement to these disciples that something better is coming. He tells them about the Holy Spirit. But He uses a Greek word that means so much, it’s impossible to translate into English. And this is exactly as it should be.  I’ll prove it to you in less than 10 minutes.

In the Upper Room, Jesus said:

If you love me, you will obey my commandments. Then I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot accept, because it does not see him or know him. But you know him, because he resides with you and will be in you.

John 14:15-17 NET

The King James Version translates it as “Comforter.” The English Standard Version and the New American Standard Bible use the word “Helper.”  The New International Version and the New English Translation use “Advocate.” And what we should take from these differences is that the Holy Spirit is greater than we can comprehend. He is the key to the Christian life.

Comforter

Most of the older translations of the New Testament use the title “Comforter” to translate the Greek word, “paraclete.” Scholars believe this English definition goes all the way back to John Wycliffe, the famous theologian who fought for every Christian to have access to the Scriptures. But today, the word seems limited to a loving embrace or a warm blanket. The Holy Spirit does bring us comfort this way. But He does so much more than that.

Counselor

Another translation of “paraclete” is “Counselor.” It brings to mind someone we’re getting advice from. Is your marriage in trouble? Go to a marriage counselor. Finances messed up? Meet with a financial counselor. Not sure which classes to take? Email your academic counselor. The Holy Spirit definitely provides us counsel and direction when we ask. But He does so much more than that. 

Helper

Some scholars prefer the word “Helper.” But when I hear that word, it feels upside-down. This is God in Spirit form. But it feels like “Helper” means He is in service to us; not the other way around. While the Holy Spirit does come to our assistance and aid, He does so much more than that.

Advocate

Most recent scholars have settled on “Advocate” as the best single word to use to translate “paraclete.” They choose it because the word suggests someone standing in place of another and offering a defense for them. Think of a lawyer. This is a good description of an important part of what the Holy Spirit does. He advocates for us before the Father. But still, the word comes up short. The Holy Spirit does so much more than that.

The Holy Spirit is our Comforter. He does provide us counsel when we need it. He helps us in our weakness and brings us the power we need to do the work we’re called to do. And thank God He advocates for us before the Father. But Jesus talks about the Holy Spirit for almost all of three chapters in the Gospel of John. Instead of worrying about which single word best defines an undefinable God, we should probably just spend learning who He is and knowing Him better.