Holy Spirit (Counselor, Advocate, Parakletos)
List some of the
possible translations of the term parakletos. Briefly discuss the positives and
negatives of each possible translation. Which of these terms carries the most
promise of accurately representing this word to a modern audience? Why? Look in
your favorite Bible translation and see if you can find how it translates
parakletos and give an example. Given the material for this module/week, do you
think your Bible captures the nuance of this term correctly? Why or why not?
Carson gives five passages that introduces the understanding of
Paraclete.
a.)
John 14:16-17 is where
Jesus says that He will ask the Father to send another Counselor to be with the
disciples as the Spirit of Truth.[1] The
Father and Son works together with sending the Counselor to those who love and
obey Him.[2]
The Greek secularly describes the Paraclete in legal terms as an advocate and
yet, other definitions are encouragement, to exhort, to strengthen and to call
alongside.[3] It may be best understood that Jesus was the
first Advocate or Counselor for mankind who had to leave for the Holy Spirit to
come and this is what He meant by sending “another” Counselor, so that those
who believe would have someone working on their behalf on earth and guiding
them along the way to do His divine will. Therefore, the Holy Spirit acts as a
witness to who Jesus is and is therefore called the Spirit of Truth.[4]
The NIV uses the word Counselor to describe the Holy Spirit, but Carson says
that one should be careful not to take this to mean that someone is getting a
therapy session or like a camp counselor. It should be viewed in legal terms in
the sense of having someone act on your behalf and as a representation for the
prosecution rather than the defense.[5]
Therefore, the Holy Spirit convicts of Truth which tells what is right and not
defend what is wrong.
b.)
John 14:26 is where
Jesus says that He will send the Comforter teach and remind us of all things
concerning Him.[6]
The Holy Spirit is not just a mere substitute or a quilt to be put on for
comfort, but He comes as an emissary of Jesus. Carson says that the promise in
this text was not for subsequent disciples but was for Jesus’ disciples at the
time.[7] If
this is truly what the author is stating, I would respectfully disagree. Yes,
the Holy Spirit was to bring to memory the things that Jesus had taught them
concerning His truth, but I believe that the Holy Spirit still operates in the
same way based upon what we read in the Bible concerning Christ today for we
bear witness to the things of Him through the power of the Holy Spirit and will
even more so during the last days.
c.)
John 15:26-27 is where
Jesus tells the disciples that the Holy Spirit will come as the Spirit of Truth
to testify about Him and that they were to also testify of Him because they
were with Him.[8]
The Holy Spirit joins with the disciples to bear witness about Christ being
sent out from the Father and Son.[9]
The Holy Spirit testifies about Christ to the world about the Father through
Jesus, His word, ministry and miracles, His death and resurrection, and the
blessings or judgment that will come in the end.[10]
d.)
John 16:7-11 is where
Jesus tells the disciples that it is good for Him to leave so that the
Comforter can come. The Holy Spirit will convict the world about sin,
righteousness and His judgment, for He was returning to the Father, but the
prince of this world would continue to rule but has been found condemned.[11]
The Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin because they do not believe in Jesus
because their unbelief brings condemnation. Failure to believe is why do not
wish to be convicted of wrong and is therefore, a willful action.[12]
The Holy Spirit is not forceful but seeks to convict the world of their sin and
their need for redemption through Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit also convicts
the world of righteousness because Jesus was returning to the Father, but the
disciples would be left behind to model His righteousness before the whole
world.[13]
The Holy Spirit has to convict the world of judgment because the world was
wrong about Jesus. Therefore, it stands condemned because it follows for father
of lies who has spiritually blinded them concerning the things of Christ.[14]
e.)
John 16:12-15 is where
Jesus tells the disciples that the Holy Spirit would not speak His own words
but those words that He hears from Jesus concerning what’s to come and in so
doing, edify Christ for the Father and Jesus operate as One.[15] The
Holy Spirit gives the revelation of Jesus just as He did with John as he wrote
the Book of Revelation. He teaches all things to the disciples and brings to
mind what Jesus has placed on the inside of them concerning Him.[16]
Jesus is the Truth that the Spirit leads them into as they learn of things to
come from the Revealer of all things.[17]
When we look at the translations of parakletos, we must be careful
to ensure that we have its correct interpretation. We must know that we are to
use it in the legal sense to avoid diminishing the role of the Holy Spirit in
our lives. He is not a substitute for Christ but His representative just as
ambassadors operate on behalf of their country. For the modern audience, the
Greek’s secular translation of parakletos as it relates to a legal advocate is
the most correct. Carson, however, makes it clear that one does not think of
legal representation on behalf of the defense.[18]
If we were to mistakenly think of the Holy Spirit in this manner, we would fail
to credit Him for the role He operates in regarding convicting the world about
sin, righteousness and judgment concerning their disbelief in Jesus. The Holy
Spirit dwells on the inside of believers because we are to be representatives
of Christ.[19]
I tend to use the NIV and NLT in most of my Bible studies. The NIV uses the
word Counselor in John 14:26 for
example and the NLT uses the word Advocate
for the same verse. I believe that both are correct, but they can also be
misconstrued if not used appropriately. Whereas a counselor and advocate can
both fight for the guilty party just like we have defense counselors and LGBTQ
advocates, the Holy Spirit represents all Truth concerning Christ. Therefore,
He is the Counselor and/or Advocate who represents Christ being Truth to the
world through His followers. The Bible captures the Holy Spirit’s role
correctly as being Jesus representative, counselor and advocate because the
Bible let’s us know His role and for Whom He is sent.
[1]
John 14:16-17 (New International Version).
[3]
Ibid.
[4]
Ibid., 500.
[5]
Ibid, 499.
[6]
John 14:26 (New International Version).
[7]
Carson, John, 505.
[8]
John 15:26-27 (New International Version).
[9]
Carson, John, 528.
[10]
Carson, John, 530.
[11]
John 16:7-11 (New International Version).
[12]
Carson, John, 537.
[13]
Ibid., 538.
[14]
Ibid.
[15]
John 16:12-15 (New International Version).
[16]
Carson, John, 539-540.
[17]
Ibid.
[18]
Ibid., 499.
[19]
Andreas J Köstenberger, Encountering
John: The Gospel in Historical, Literary, and Theological Perspective
(Grand Rapids, Mich: Baker Academic, 2013), 146-147.
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