| Easton's Bible Dictionary (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. Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) One who pleads the cause of another. Specifically: One who pleads the cause of another before a tribunal or judicial court; a counselor. 2. (n.) One who defends, vindicates, or espouses any cause by argument; a pleader; as, an advocate of free trade, an advocate of truth. 3. (n.) Christ, considered as an intercessor. 4. (n.) To plead in favor of; to defend by argument, before a tribunal or the public; to support, vindicate, or recommend publicly. 5. (v. i.) To act as advocate. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia ADVOCATE ad'-vo-kat (parakletos): Found in 1 John 2:1, "If any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." The Greek word has several shades of meaning:
(1) a legal advocate;
(2) an intercessor,
(3) a helper generally.
In the passage before us the first and second meanings are included. Christ in heaven intercedes for Christians who sin upon earth. The next verse declares that He is the "propitiation for our sins" and it is His propitiatory work which lies at the basis of His intercession. The margins of the Revised Version (British and American) and the American Standard Revised Version give as alternative readings Comforter, Helper, Greek Paraclete. Beyond doubt however, "advocate" is the correct translation in the passage in the epistle. The same Greek word also occurs in 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 "another comforter" whom He will send from the Father. In the Gospel various functions are ascribed to the Spirit in relation to believers and unbelievers. The word in the Gospel is inadequately translated "Comforter." The Spirit according to these passages, is more than Comforter and more than Advocate.
See PARACLETE; COMFORTER; HOLY SPIRIT.
E. Y. Mullins |  | Multi-Version Concordance Advocate (7 Occurrences) John 14:16 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be for ever with you--the Spirit of truth. (WEY) John 14:26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will teach you everything, and will bring to your memories all that I have said to you. (WEY) John 16:7 "Yet it is the truth that I am telling you--it is to your advantage that I go away. For unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. (WEY) Acts 16:21 and set forth customs which it is not lawful for us to accept or to observe, being Romans." (See RSV) 1 Timothy 4:3 forbidding marriage and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. (See NAS) 1 John 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: (KJV WEY ASV WBS YLT NAS RSV) Job 16:19 Even now, behold, my witness is in heaven. He who vouches for me is on high. (See NAS NIV) |
