Advocate
“One called alongside to help, an intercessor or helper”
Summary
A legal term meaning one who pleads another's cause, applied in Scripture both to Christ, who intercedes for believers before the Father, and to the Holy Spirit, whom Christ sent as another Comforter.
☩Christ as Advocate
The apostle John declares that believers who sin have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous, who is also the propitiation for their sins. Christ's role as Advocate rests upon His propitiatory work on the cross, and He continues to intercede for His people at the Father's right hand. This advocacy assures believers of continued access to divine forgiveness and grace despite their failures.
☩The Holy Spirit as Advocate
Jesus promised to send "another Comforter" (Greek: Parakletos) who would abide with believers forever. The same Greek word translated "Advocate" for Christ in 1 John is translated "Comforter" for the Holy Spirit in John's Gospel, though the Spirit's function encompasses more than comfort, including conviction of sin, teaching, guidance, and glorifying Christ.
☩Legal Usage
In the Roman provincial courts, advocates were lawyers who pleaded causes for those unfamiliar with Roman law and legal procedures. Such an advocate was Tertullus, employed by the Jewish leaders to prosecute Paul before Felix. This forensic background illuminates the scriptural usage: Christ pleads our case before the divine tribunal, while the Spirit advocates within believers to convict, guide, and empower.
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Advocate," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. I (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Advocate," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. I (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).