Original Word: παράκλητος
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: paraklétos
Pronunciation: pah-RAH-klee-toss
Phonetic Spelling: (par-ak'-lay-tos)
KJV: advocate, comforter
NASB: Helper, Advocate
Word Origin: [(not given)]

1. (properly) one called near (to give help)
2. an intercessor (one who entreats of behalf of another)
3. a comforter

advocate, comforter.

An intercessor, consoler -- advocate, comforter.

3875 paráklētos (from 3844 /pará, "from close-beside" and 2564 /kaléō, "make a call") – properly, a legal advocate who makes the right judgment-call because close enough to the situation. 3875 /paráklētos ("advocate, advisor-helper") is the regular term in NT times of an attorney (lawyer) – i.e. someone giving evidence that stands up in court.

Word Origin
from parakaleó
Definition
called to one's aid
NASB Translation
Advocate (1), Helper (4).

STRONGS NT 3875: παράκλητος

παράκλητος, παρακλητου, ὁ (παρακαλέω), properly, summoned, called to one's side, especially called to one's aid; hence,

1. "one who pleads another's cause before a judge, a pleader, counsel for defense, legal assistant; an advocate": Demosthenes, p. 341, 11; (Diogenes Laërtius 4, 50, cf. Dio Cassius, 46, 20.

2. universally, one who pleads another's cause with one, an intercessor: Philo, de mund. opif. § 59; de Josepho § 40; in Flaccum §§ 3 and 4; so of Christ, in his exaltation at God's right hand, pleading with God the Father for the pardon of our sins, 1 John 2:1 (in the same sense, of the divine Logos in Philo, vita Moys. iii. § 14).

3. in the widest sense, a helper, succorer, aider, assistant; so of the Holy Spirit destined to take the place of Christ with the apostles (after his ascension to the Father), to lead them to a deeper knowledge of gospel truth, and to give them the divine strength needed to enable them to undergo trials and persecutions on behalf of the divine kingdom: John 14:16, 26; John 15:26; John 16:7, cf. Matthew 10:19; Mark 13:11; Luke 12:11f (Philo de mund. opif. § 6 at the beginning says that God in creating the world had no need of a παράκλητος, an adviser, counsellor, helper. The Targums and Talmud borrow the Greek words פְּרַקְלִיט and פְּרַקְלִיטָא and use them of any intercessor, defender, or advocate; cf. Baxtorf, Lex. Talm., p. 1843 ((edited by Fischer, p. 916)); so Targ. on Job 33:23 for מֵלִיץ מַלְאָך, i. e. an angel that pleads man's cause with God; (cf. πλουσίων παρακλητοι in 'Teaching' etc. 5 [ET] under the end; the Epistle of Barnabas 20, 2 [ET]; Apostolic Constitutions 7, 18)). Cf. Knapp, Scripta varii Argumenti, p. 124ff; Düsterdieck on 1 John 2:1, p. 147ff; (Watkins, Excursus G, in Ellicott's N. T. Commentary for English Readers; Westcott in the Speaker's commentary Additional Note on John 14:16; Schaff in Lange ibid.).

Overview

Strong’s Greek 3875 occurs five times, all within Johannine literature. In the Gospel of John the term designates the Holy Spirit, while in 1 John it identifies Jesus Christ. English renderings include Advocate, Helper, Counselor, and Comforter. Each occurrence highlights God’s personal provision of ongoing help for His people.

Divine Personhood of the Parakletos

The Parakletos is not an impersonal force but a divine Person. Masculine pronouns accompany the title in John, underscoring personality. He teaches, reminds, testifies, convicts, and comes—activities reserved for a self-aware being. His personhood preserves the distinction yet unity among Father, Son, and Spirit, reinforcing Trinitarian theology.

Roles in Johannine Theology

1. Teacher and Remembrancer (John 14:26).
2. Witness to Christ (John 15:26).
3. Convicter of the world concerning sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:7–11).
4. Perpetual Companion (John 14:16) who abides “forever.”
5. Heavenly Advocate for believers when they sin (1 John 2:1).

Christological Dimension

John 14:16 introduces “another Advocate,” implying that Jesus Himself is the first. On earth, Christ defended and instructed His disciples; upon His exaltation He sends the Spirit to continue that ministry. In 1 John 2:1 the resurrected Christ functions in heaven as Advocate “before the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One,” securing forgiveness through His own propitiatory work (1 John 2:2).

Ministry to Believers

• Assurance: The Spirit’s indwelling presence assures believers that they are children of God.
• Illumination: He guides into all truth, safeguarding doctrinal integrity.
• Sanctification: By convicting of sin and empowering obedience He advances holiness.
• Comfort: In persecution or sorrow He imparts peace, fulfilling Jesus’ promise, “I will not leave you as orphans” (John 14:18).
• Intercession: Jesus’ advocacy preserves communion with the Father, encouraging confession rather than despair when believers stumble.

Connection to Old Testament Themes

The promise of another Helper recalls Yahweh’s self-designation as the Comforter of His people (Isaiah 51:12) and the Spirit of wisdom resting on the Messiah (Isaiah 11:2). Thus the Parakletos continues the redemptive pattern of God dwelling with and defending His covenant community.

Historical Reception

Early Church Fathers such as Irenaeus cited John’s Parakletos passages to affirm the Spirit’s deity and Christ’s ongoing priestly work. Councils at Nicaea and Constantinople appealed to these texts in formulating orthodox Trinitarian creeds. Reformers stressed the Spirit’s role in making Scripture effective and Christ’s advocacy in securing justification.

Practical Implications for the Church

1. Worship: Recognition of the Parakletos fosters Trinitarian praise.
2. Evangelism: Confidence that the Spirit testifies about Christ emboldens witness.
3. Pastoral Care: Believers are pointed to Jesus as their Advocate, discouraging both presumption and despair.
4. Doctrine: Reliance on the Spirit guards against error and cultivates unity in truth.
5. Perseverance: Knowing the Helper abides forever encourages steadfast faith amid trials.

Eschatological Hope

The Parakletos guarantees that Christ’s presence remains with the Church until His return. His indwelling is the firstfruits of the full inheritance, assuring believers of final redemption and the consummation of God’s kingdom.

παρακλητον παράκλητον παρακλήτορες παρακλητος παράκλητος parakleton paraklēton parákleton paráklēton parakletos paraklētos parákletos paráklētosInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts