ANOTHER ADVOCATE
Jesus sought to comfort His disciples by explaining that although He must return to the Father, He would send “another Advocate” to be with them always. The Greek word translated, “Advocate,” is “Paraklētos,” which literally means, “one called alongside.” It might also be translated, “Helper” or “Comforter.” Jesus identified this “Advocate” as the Holy Spirit.
If the Greek word “Paraklētos” is revealing, then the Greek word translated “another” is perhaps even more so. For there are two words translated “another” in the Greek. The first word is “eteros,” which has the meaning of “another” that is similar, but of different character (i.e., “May I have ‘another’ piece of fruit, maybe an apple instead of an orange?”). But the Greek word used by Jesus was “allos,” which means “another” of the same kind (i.e., “May I have ‘another’ apple?”).
Why is this significant? Because Jesus was making the point that the Advocate is “another” of the same character as He. Jesus, the Son of God, was sent by the Father. Now, as He returned to the Father, He would ask the Father to send “another Advocate” like Himself to be with His disciples. The Father, the Son and the Spirit are equally one in essence, yet three in persons. As the hymn declares, “God in three persons, blessed Trinity.”
This is why the apostle Paul referred to the Holy Spirit as both the “Spirit of God” and the “Spirit of Christ” in the same verse (Rom. 8:9). For if we have received Christ as our Lord and Savior, then we have received His Spirit, which is “another” of the same kind. So, we are able to say along with the apostle Paul, “Christ in us, the hope of glory!” (Col. 1:27). For the Spirit of Christ lives in us!
PRAYER: Dear Father, You have given us Your Holy Spirit to live in us as our Advocate, our Helper, and our Comforter. He never leaves us. It is by Your Spirit that we call you, Abba, Father. Thank You! In Jesus’ name, amen.