Who is the Comforter?
The Comforter is a name used for the Holy Spirit in some translations of the Bible. It comes from the Greek word paraclete, which has no exact translation in English, but roughly means "one who is called alongside." It is also sometimes translated as "Helper," "Counselor," or "Advocate" (see John 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7). One example of the Holy Spirit being called "Comforter" comes from John 14:26 in the King James Version: "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you."The most common translation of paraclete in other Biblical translations is "Helper," which may span a broader range of the Holy Spirit's work than "Comforter." The Holy Spirit is one who comes alongside to help, support, comfort, advise, and advocate for us. The Holy Spirit also prays for us: "Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words" (Romans 8:26).
All three persons of the Trinity come alongside us and support us. The Holy Spirit is our ever-present helper; Jesus Christ is our advocate and also intercedes for us (1 John 2:1); and God the Father is called the "God of all comfort." Second Corinthians 1:3–5 says, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too." God sent Christ for our salvation and then He sent the Holy Spirit as His indwelling presence to support us at all times (John 14:16–17; 16:5–15; Ephesians 1:3–14). No matter where we go, or what trials we face, thanks to the Comforter we will never have to face them on our own (Psalm 34:18; 139:7–12; Hebrews 13:5–6).
Who is the Holy Spirit?
What names and titles does the Bible use for the Holy Spirit?
What does the Holy Spirit do?
What is the role of the Holy Spirit? How is the Holy Spirit active in our lives today?
What role did the Holy Spirit have in the Old Testament?
Truth about the Holy Spirit
