Comforter

The Comforter is the designation Jesus uses for the Holy Spirit in the farewell discourse of John's Gospel (John 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7). The Greek word is Paraklētos — one called alongside to help — and its range of meaning includes advocate, helper, intercessor, and consoler. Jesus promises that the Father will send another Comforter after his departure, indicating that Jesus himself is the first Paraclete, a designation John applies explicitly in 1 John 2:1 where Christ is our advocate before the Father.

The Comforter's ministries as described in John's Gospel are comprehensive: he will teach the disciples all things and bring to remembrance what Jesus said (John 14:26), bear witness to Christ (John 15:26), convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8), and guide believers into all truth (John 16:13). The fulfillment of this promise occurred at Pentecost (Acts 2). The term Comforter was preferred by Wycliffe and Tyndale; more recent translations render Paraclete as Helper, Advocate, or Counselor to capture the full breadth of the Spirit's active role.