advocate Summary and Overview

(Gr. parakletos), one who pleads another's cause, who helps another by defending or comforting him. 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," q.v.). It is applied to Christ in 1 John 2:1, where the same Greek word is rendered "Advocate," the rendering which it should have in all the places where it occurs. Tertullus "the orator" (Acts 24:1) was a Roman advocate whom the Jews employed to accuse Paul before Felix.

or Paraclete, one that pleads the cause of another. #1Jo 2:1| Used by Christ, #Joh 14:16; 15:26; 16:7| to describe the office and work of the Holy Spirit, and translated Comforter, i.e. (see margin of Revised Version) Advocate, Helper, Intercessor. This use of the word is derived from the fact that the Jews, being largely ignorant of the Roman law and the Roman language, had to employ Roman advocates in their trials before Roman courts. Applied to Christ, #1Jo 2:1|

AD'VOCATE or PAR'ACLETE 1 John 2:1. One who pleads another's cause, a counsellor, an intercessor. It is the term used by Christ to describe the office of the Holy Spirit, John 14:16; John 15:26; John 16:7, but translated in A. V. "Comforter." It is also applied to Christ as our intercessor. 1 John 2:1. The forensic office of advocate was unknown among the Jews before their subjection to the Romans; then they were obliged to conduct their trials before the Roman magistrates after the Roman manner. Their ignorance of their conquerors' law compelled them to employ advocates or lawyers speaking Greek and Latin. Such an advocate was Tertullus, whom the Jews hired to accuse Paul before Felix. Acts 24:1. See Trial.

(paraklete); one who pleads another's cause, exhorts, comforts, prays for another. The Holy Spirit (John 14:16; John 15:26; John 16:7); though our KJV always translates it "Comforter" when applied to Him, and "Advocate" when to Christ (1 John 2:1). But all the ideas included in the word apply both to the Holy Spirit and to Christ. For if Christ intercedes with God for us above, the Holy Spirit does so in us below; compare Romans 8:26; Romans 8:34 with Hebrews 7:25. The Holy Spirit, testifying of Christ within us, answers, as our Advocate before our consciences, the law's demands; He, as the Spirit of prayer and adoption, inspires in us prayers which words cannot fully utter. If the Holy Spirit be named "another Comforter" by Jesus, yet He implies that Himself also is so, as indeed the Holy Spirit is His Spirit; absent in body, He is still present by His Spirit (John 14:16; John 14:18). Tertullus (Acts 24) is a sample of the advocates usually employed by clients in the Roman provinces.