Topical Encyclopedia
The term "Comforter" is primarily associated with the Holy Spirit in Christian theology, particularly within the context of the New Testament. The Greek word "Parakletos," often translated as "Comforter," "Helper," or "Advocate," is used to describe the Holy Spirit's role in the life of believers. This term appears in the Gospel of John, where Jesus promises the coming of the Holy Spirit to His disciples.
Biblical References:1.
John 14:16-17 : "And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot receive Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you do know Him, for He abides with you and will be in you." In this passage, Jesus assures His disciples that the Father will send another Advocate, the Holy Spirit, who will remain with them perpetually. The term "another" implies that the Holy Spirit will continue the comforting and guiding work that Jesus Himself began.
2.
John 14:26 : "But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have told you." Here, the Comforter is described as a teacher and a reminder of Jesus' teachings, emphasizing the Spirit's role in guiding believers into all truth.
3.
John 15:26 : "When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father—He will testify about Me." The Comforter is depicted as a witness to Christ, affirming the truth of His message and mission.
4.
John 16:7-8 : "But I tell you the truth, it is for your benefit that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. And when He comes, He will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment." Jesus explains that His departure is necessary for the Comforter to come, highlighting the Spirit's role in convicting the world concerning sin, righteousness, and judgment.
Theological Significance:The Comforter, as the Holy Spirit, plays a crucial role in the life of the believer and the Church. The Spirit's presence is a source of divine comfort, guidance, and empowerment. The Holy Spirit's work includes teaching, reminding, and testifying about Christ, ensuring that the truth of the Gospel is preserved and proclaimed.
The Comforter also acts as an intercessor and advocate for believers, as seen in
Romans 8:26-27 : "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans too deep for words. And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God." This intercessory role underscores the Spirit's intimate involvement in the believer's spiritual life.
Historical Context:The concept of the Comforter has been a foundational element of Christian doctrine since the early Church. The Nicene Creed, formulated in the fourth century, affirms the Holy Spirit as "the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son," reflecting the Spirit's divine nature and mission.
Throughout Church history, the Comforter's role has been emphasized in various theological traditions, underscoring the Spirit's work in sanctification, empowerment for ministry, and the cultivation of spiritual gifts. The Comforter's presence is seen as essential for the Church's mission and the believer's spiritual growth.
Practical Implications:For believers, the Comforter provides assurance of God's presence and guidance in daily life. The Holy Spirit's indwelling presence offers comfort in times of trial, wisdom in decision-making, and strength to live a life that honors God. The Spirit's work in convicting of sin and leading into righteousness is vital for personal holiness and spiritual maturity.
In worship and community life, the Comforter's role is evident in the unity and edification of the Church. The Spirit's gifts are given for the common good, enabling believers to serve one another and advance the Gospel. The Comforter's ongoing work ensures that the Church remains faithful to its calling and mission in the world.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Comforter(John 14:16) The name given by Christ to the Holy Spirit. The original word isParaclete , and means firstAdvocate, a defender, helper, strengthener, as well as comforter.
ATS Bible Dictionary
ComforterGreekPARACLETE, an advocate, teacher, or consoler. This title is given to our Savior: "We have an advocate (paraclete) with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous,"1John 2:1. But more frequently it designates the Holy Spirit. He is the "other Comforter," succeeding Christ, the great promised blessing of the Christian church,John 14:16,17,26 15:1-27 16:1-33Luke 24:29Acts 1:4. The English word Comforter does not adequately describe the office of the Paraclete, who was not only to console, but to aid and direct them, as Christ had done. The disciples found the promise fulfilled to them. The Comforter aided them when called before councils; guided them into all truth respecting the plan of salvation; brought to their remembrance the words and deeds of Christ; and revealed to them things to come. His presence was accompanied by signal triumphs of grace, and made amends for the absences of Christ. The church is still under the dispensation of the Comforter, and still he convinces the world of sin, of righteousness, and of the judgement to come.
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 (Romans 8:27, 34).
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) One who administers comfort or consolation.
2. (n.) The Holy Spirit, -- referring to his office of comforting believers.
3. (n.) A knit woolen tippet, long and narrow.
4. (n.) A wadded bedquilt; a comfortable.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
COMFORTERkum'-fer-ter: This is translation of the word patakletos, in the Johannine writings. In the Gospel it occurs inJohn 14:16, 26;John 15:26;John 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 (John 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 in1 John 2:1. InJob 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).
In 1John 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" (1 John 2:2).
SeeADVOCATE;HOLY SPIRIT; PARACLETE.
E. Y. Mullins
Greek
3875. parakletos -- called to one's aid... Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: parakletos Phonetic Spelling:
(par-ak'-lay-tos) Short Definition: an advocate,
comforter, helper, Paraclete
...Strong's Hebrew
4505. Menachem -- "comforter," king of Northern Israel... 4504, 4505. Menachem. 4506 . "
comforter," king of Northern Israel. Transliteration:
Menachem Phonetic Spelling: (men-akh-ame') Short Definition: Menahem.
...5162. nacham -- to be sorry, console oneself
... sorry (1), appeased (1), become a consolation (1), change mind (6), change minds
(1), changed mind (4), comfort (30), comforted (18),comforter (2), comforters...
Library
TheComforter
... TheComforter. A Sermon (No.5).... "It is right I should go away from you," said Jesus,
"for if I go not away, theComforter will not come." Jesus must go....
TheComforter Given
... THECOMFORTER GIVEN. 'And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another
Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever; Even...
Love and theComforter.
... XXII. Love and theComforter. "By the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned.""2 Corinthians
6:6.... Cat., q.1). Christ speaks, not of comfort, but of theComforter....
TheComforter
... SERMON XIV. THECOMFORTER. Eversley. Sunday after Ascension Day.1868. St
John 15:26. "When theComforter is come, whom I will send...
AnotherComforter.
... 12TH DAY. AnotherComforter.... "I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another
Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever.""John 14:16....
Prayer for theComforter.
... DEVOUT EXERCISES. 431. " Prayer for theComforter. 431. LM6l. C. Wesley.
Prayer for theComforter. 1 I want the spirit of power...
Messiah Unpitied, and Without aComforter
... Sermon XXII Messiah Unpitied, and Without aComforter. Messiah Unpitied, and Without
aComforter Psalm 69:20.... Then they will find no pity, nocomforter....
Fourth Sunday after Easter. It is Expedient for You that I Go Away...
... Fourth Sunday After Easter. It is expedient for you that I go away, for if I go
not away, theComforter will not come unto you.... Holy Ghost! myComforter!...
Nun Bitten Wir Den Heiligen Geist. Now Pray we all God, the...
... XIX. Nun bitten wir den heiligen Geist. Now pray we all God, theComforter. The
first stanza from an ancient German hymn. The other stanzas added by Luther....
Whit Sunday I Will Pray the Father, and He Shall Give You Another...
... Whit Sunday I will pray the Father, and He shall give you anotherComforter,
that He may abide with you for ever, even the Spirit of Truth....
Thesaurus
Comforter (14 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
COMFORTER.
... The translation "
Comforter" covers
only a small part of the meaning as shown in the context.
...Advocate (7 Occurrences)
... It is a name given by Christ three times to the Holy Ghost (John 14:16;
15:26; 16:7, where the Greek word is rendered "Comforter, " qv)....
Paraclete
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) An advocate; one called to aid or support; hence,
the Consoler,Comforter, or Intercessor; -- a term applied to the Holy Spirit....
Aenon (1 Occurrence)
... the Gospel of John (John 14:16, 26; John 15:26; John 16:7) referring not to Christ
but to the Holy Spirit, to whom Christ refers as "anothercomforter" whom He...
Ascension (1 Occurrence)
... is recorded of the actual Ascension, but 1 John 2:1 says that "we have an Advocate
with the Father." The word "Advocate" is the same as "Comforter" in John 14...
Oppressors (31 Occurrences)
... 1 Then I returned and saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold,
the tears of those who were oppressed, and they had nocomforter; and on...
Oppressions (5 Occurrences)
... 1 Then I returned and saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold,
the tears of those who were oppressed, and they had nocomforter; and on...
Practiced (22 Occurrences)
... again I saw all the cruel things which are done under the sun; there was the weeping
of those who have evil done to them, and they had nocomforter: and from...
Tears (58 Occurrences)
... 1 Then I returned and saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold,
the tears of those who were oppressed, and they had nocomforter; and on...
Comforters (5 Occurrences)
Resources
What does it mean that the Holy Spirit is our Paraclete? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the difference between the manifest presence of the Holy Spirit and God's omnipresence? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Alpha Course? | GotQuestions.orgComforter: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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