“Comforter, Counselor, or … ?”

Brian Robertson, Pastor, FBC, Kenton, TN

Words, words, words. My, how their meanings can change. For example, “cool” in today’s verbiage means “great” as well as “cold.” When someone today says, “that’s bad,” they may mean “awesome” or something is not good. How a word is used always affects its intended meaning. Scriptural translation clearly is impacted by these changes. Several weeks ago, I was asked about the term “Counselor” in John 14:16. Newer translations (NIV, HCSB) interpret the Greek term “Paraclete” (“parakletos”) in this way. Older texts (KJV) use the term “Comforter” to represent the meaning. Both English words are used to describe the Greek term. The question is, Which translation best describes John’s meaning?

The Apostle John uses the term “Paraclete” five times in his Gospel (14:16, 26, 15:26, 16:7-11, 12-15). Jesus uses the term “Parakletos,” literally meaning helper or intercessor, to describe the role of the Holy Spirit. Jesus says that after He leaves the Apostles, the Father will send another “Parakletos” to them, insinuating that Jesus was also a Parakletos. Andreas Köstenberger states, “In secular Greek, ‘parakletos’ refers primarily to a ‘legal assistant’ or ‘advocate.’ In John’s Gospel, legal overtones are most pronounced in 16:7-11. Both the noun ‘paraklesis’ and the verb ‘parakaleo’ are used in the OT w/ regard to the ‘consoling’ expected to occur during the messianic era.” (Andreas Köstenberger, John, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament [Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2004], 436-37).

It seems that the thrust of Jesus’ teaching carried legal overtones. In the Roman world, the word “advocate” could be used to describe John’s meaning. Though, the scene is one where Jesus instructs His followers that upon His return to the Father the “Counselor” will come and give them spiritual counsel similar to what Jesus told them. Regarding the Spirit’s involvement in their lives, Christ says,

When He comes, he will convict the world about sin, righteousness, and judgment: about sin, because they do not believe in Me; about righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see Me; and about judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged (John 16:8-11, HCS).

The Apostles had no idea the Holy Spirit would descend at Pentecost, baptize, and fill them with God’s power. They also were unaware they would be persecuted and martyred. Thus, Jesus refers to the Paraclete as one who would provide counsel or help, knowing the temptations and persecutions awaiting His followers.

Although the term “Counselor” is used in newer translations, perhaps the phrase “Helping Presence” is the best interpretation. The older term “Comforter” is still used and referred to by churches as the correct description of the “Parakletos.” Johannes Behm and others (D. A. Carson, Leon Morris) argue that the term “Comforter” is inadequate to describe Jesus’ meaning and description of the Holy Spirit (Paraclete) as seen in contemporary language. Gerald Borchert asserts, “The meaning ‘helper’ certainly would be applicable to part of the function of the Spirit, but it does not generally have a sufficiently encompassing meaning, and the term does not bring out the passive nature of the Greek word adequately. Moreover, this rendering could carry for readers the misleading implication that a human could be in charge of the relationship with the Spirit and the Spirit would then be demoted to the role of an assistant” (Gerald Borchert, John 12-21, The New American Commentary [Nashville: B&H, 2002], 123). Gary Burge further says, “The word does NOT mean ‘comfort’ (as the KJV comforter) except in the old English understanding of someone who strengthens (from Latin, confortare, to strengthen; fortis, strong)” (Gary Burge, John, The NIV Application Commentary [Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2000], 395.

It is not incorrect in John to interpret “Parakletos” as “Comforter” if you are using old English. “Comforter” at that time meant “counselor” or “advocate.” In modern, secular English, “comforter” communicates an entirely different meaning from the one John intended. Jesus refers to the Spirit as one who gives “strong counsel” to those who follow Christ. This is why in 15:26 Jesus refers to the “Counselor” as the “Spirit of Truth.” This “Spirit” aids believers in discerning right from wrong. Finally, the understanding of most commentators is that the term “Counselor” also is not completely perfect in its description; however, in contemporary English, it does present the Holy Spirit as someone who gives counsel or aid to another; thus, clarifying further the meaning of the text.

It is not the purpose of this article to discredit the feasibility of the KJV or the HCSB. The twenty-first-century world is 400 years removed from a text in which the translators lacked many of the tools available to translators today. This is one reason contemporary translations often offer more accurate renderings of the original text for twenty-first-century English speaking people. That is not to say the KJV or others are bad translations. They are not. I was saved reading a KJV Bible. However, the English language is in transition. The meanings of some words used 400 years ago are not in sync with the same words today.

People are lost spiritually and need God’s Word to demonstrate clearly their need for a Savior. In a postmodern world wording is crucial to one’s communication of the Gospel. Whatever text you use to share Christ, be sure that both you and the hearer can understand completely what the Word of God is saying. Clarity in an evangelistic presentation is vital to the working of the Spirit, though it is the Spirit alone who “convicts of sin.” One thing is certain, while words and their meanings may change, the Word of our Lord “stands forever!”

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