In the context of the Bible, the term "Advocate" primarily refers to one who intercedes, supports, or defends another, particularly in a legal or spiritual sense. The concept of an advocate is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, reflecting God's provision for His people through divine intercession and support.

Old Testament Context

While the specific term "advocate" is not directly used in the Old Testament, the concept is evident in the roles of prophets, priests, and leaders who interceded on behalf of the people. Moses, for example, acted as an advocate for Israel, pleading with God to spare them from judgment (Exodus 32:11-14). Similarly, the priests served as mediators between God and the people, offering sacrifices and prayers on their behalf.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the term "Advocate" is explicitly used in reference to the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ. The Greek word "Parakletos," translated as "Advocate," appears in the writings of John. In John 14:16, Jesus promises His disciples, "And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever" . Here, the Advocate is the Holy Spirit, who comforts, guides, and empowers believers.

Furthermore, Jesus Himself is described as an advocate in 1 John 2:1: "My little children, I write these things to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, the Righteous One" . This passage highlights Jesus' role in interceding for believers before God, emphasizing His righteousness and sacrificial atonement as the basis for His advocacy.

The Role of the Advocate

The Advocate's role is multifaceted, encompassing comfort, guidance, teaching, and intercession. The Holy Spirit, as the Advocate, dwells within believers, leading them into all truth (John 16:13) and reminding them of Jesus' teachings (John 14:26). The Spirit also intercedes for believers in their weaknesses, as described in Romans 8:26-27: "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans too deep for words" .

Jesus, as the heavenly Advocate, continually intercedes for believers, ensuring their standing before God is secure. His advocacy is rooted in His finished work on the cross, where He bore the penalty for sin, thus enabling believers to approach God with confidence (Hebrews 4:14-16).

Practical Implications

The biblical understanding of an Advocate provides believers with assurance and hope. Knowing that both the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ intercede on their behalf encourages Christians to live boldly in faith, relying on divine support and guidance. This advocacy underscores the personal and relational nature of God's care for His people, offering comfort in times of trial and assurance of salvation.Advocate

or Paraclete , one that pleads the cause of another. (1 John 2:1) Used by Christ, (John 14:16; 15:26; 16:7) to describe the office and work of the Holy Spirit, and translated Comforter , i.e. (see margin of Revised Version) Advocate, Helper, Intercessor. This use of the word is derived from the fact that the Jews, being largely ignorant of the Roman law and the Roman language, had to employ Roman advocates in their trials before Roman courts. Applied to Christ, (1 John 2:1)

(Gr. parakletos), one who pleads another's cause, who helps another by defending or comforting him. It is a name given by Christ three times to the Holy Ghost (John 14:16; 15:26; 16:7, where the Greek word is rendered "Comforter, " q.v.). It is applied to Christ in 1 John 2:1, where the same Greek word is rendered "Advocate," the rendering which it should have in all the places where it occurs. Tertullus "the orator" (Acts 24:1) was a Roman advocate whom the Jews employed to accuse Paul before Felix. 1. (n.) One who pleads the cause of another. Specifically: One who pleads the cause of another before a tribunal or judicial court; a counselor.

2. (n.) One who defends, vindicates, or espouses any cause by argument; a pleader; as, an advocate of free trade, an advocate of truth.

3. (n.) Christ, considered as an intercessor.

4. (n.) To plead in favor of; to defend by argument, before a tribunal or the public; to support, vindicate, or recommend publicly.

5. (v. i.) To act as advocate.

ADVOCATE

ad'-vo-kat (parakletos): Found in 1 John 2:1, "If any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." The Greek word has several shades of meaning:

(1) a legal advocate;

(2) an intercessor,

(3) a helper generally.

In the passage before us the first and second meanings are included. Christ in heaven intercedes for Christians who sin upon earth. The next verse declares that He is the "propitiation for our sins" and it is His propitiatory work which lies at the basis of His intercession. The margins of the Revised Version (British and American) and the American Standard Revised Version give as alternative readings Comforter, Helper, Greek Paraclete. Beyond doubt however, "advocate" is the correct translation in the passage in the epistle. The same Greek word also occurs in the Gospel of John (John 14:16, 26; John 15:26; John 16:7) referring not to Christ but to the Holy Spirit, to whom Christ refers as "another comforter" whom He will send from the Father. In the Gospel various functions are ascribed to the Spirit in relation to believers and unbelievers. The word in the Gospel is inadequately translated "Comforter." The Spirit according to these passages, is more than Comforter and more than Advocate.

See PARACLETE; COMFORTER; HOLY SPIRIT.

E. Y. Mullins

3875. parakletos -- called to one's aid
... to one's aid. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: parakletos Phonetic
Spelling: (par-ak'-lay-tos) Short Definition: an advocate, comforter, helper ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3875.htm - 7k

4489. rhetor -- a public speaker
... of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: rhetor Phonetic Spelling: (hray'-tore)
Short Definition: an orator Definition: an orator, public speaker, advocate. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4489.htm - 6k

3870. parakaleo -- to call to or for, to exhort, to encourage
... call") refers to believers that . [3870 (), the root of 3875 (" advocate"),
likewise has overtones.]. Word Origin from para and kaleo ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3870.htm - 10k

1558. ekdikos -- exacting penalty from, avenging
... os) Short Definition: avenging, an avenger Definition: avenging, subst: an avenger
(the word occurs frequently in the sense of a special advocate [champion] of ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1558.htm - 7k

4807. Merib Baal -- perhaps "Baal is advocate," a son of Jonathan
... Merib Baal. 4808 . perhaps "Baal is advocate," a son of Jonathan. Transliteration:
Merib Baal Phonetic Spelling: (mer-eeb' bah'-al) Short Definition: Merib-baal ...
/hebrew/4807.htm - 6k

7717. sahed -- a witness
... 7716, 7717. sahed. 7718 . a witness. Transliteration: sahed Phonetic Spelling:
(saw-hade') Short Definition: advocate. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/7717.htm - 5k

1781. dayyan -- a judge
... Word Origin from din Definition a judge NASB Word Usage judge (2). judge. From diyn;
a judge or advocate -- judge. see HEBREW diyn. 1780, 1781. dayyan. 1782 ...
/hebrew/1781.htm - 6k

The Advocate Promised.
... Chapter XIV. The Advocate Promised. 15. If ye love me keep my commandments.
This is not a command, but a declaration that if his ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/the advocate promised.htm

Whether it is Lawful for an Advocate to Take a Fee for Pleading?
... OF INJUSTICE IN JUDGMENT ON THE PART OF COUNSEL (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether
it is lawful for an advocate to take a fee for pleading? ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is lawful for 9.htm

Whether an Advocate is Bound to Defend the Suits of the Poor?
... OF INJUSTICE IN JUDGMENT ON THE PART OF COUNSEL (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether an
advocate is bound to defend the suits of the poor? Objection ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether an advocate is bound.htm

Whether an Advocate Sins by Defending an Unjust Cause?
... OF INJUSTICE IN JUDGMENT ON THE PART OF COUNSEL (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether
an advocate sins by defending an unjust cause? Objection ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether an advocate sins by.htm

Christ Our Advocate
... XVII. CHRIST OUR ADVOCATE. "And if any man sin we have an Advocate with the Father,
Jesus Christ, the righteous. ... I propose to inquire,. I. What is an advocate? ...
/.../finney/sermons on gospel themes/xvii christ our advocate.htm

The Work of Jesus Christ as an Advocate,
... THE WORK OF JESUS CHRIST AS AN ADVOCATE,. ... 1 John 2:1""And if any man sin, we have
an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.". ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the work of jesus christ.htm

"We have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous. ...
... "We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.". 1 John
2:1.""We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.". ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xxvi we have an.htm

Whether it is Fitting that the Law Should Debar Certain Persons ...
... OF INJUSTICE IN JUDGMENT ON THE PART OF COUNSEL (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether it is fitting
that the law should debar certain persons from the office of advocate? ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is fitting that.htm

"My Little Children, These Things Write I unto You, that Ye Sin ...
... not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father,". ... not. And
if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father," &c. ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xxi my little children.htm

"And if any Man Sin, we have an Advocate with the Father,",
... Sermon XXV. "And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father,",. 1 John
2:1.""And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father,", &c. ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xxv and if any.htm

Advocate (7 Occurrences)
... It is applied to Christ in 1 John 2:1, where the same Greek word is rendered "Advocate,"
the rendering which it should have in all the places where it occurs. ...
/a/advocate.htm - 11k

Comforter (14 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary The designation of the Holy Ghost (John 14:16, 26;
15:26; 16:7; RV marg., "or Advocate, or Helper; Gr. paracletos"). ...
/c/comforter.htm - 14k

Paraclete
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) An advocate; one called to aid or support; hence,
the Consoler, Comforter, or Intercessor; -- a term applied to the Holy Spirit. ...
/p/paraclete.htm - 17k

Orator (3 Occurrences)
... (2) As the rendering of rhetor, the title applied to Tertullus, who appeared as
the advocate of the Jewish accusers of Paul before Felix (Acts 24:1). The ...
/o/orator.htm - 9k

Ortion
... (2) As the rendering of rhetor, the title applied to Tertullus, who appeared as
the advocate of the Jewish accusers of Paul before Felix (Acts 24:1). The ...
/o/ortion.htm - 8k

Aenon (1 Occurrence)
... Helper, Greek Paraclete. Beyond doubt however, "advocate ' is the correct
translation in the passage in the epistle. The same Greek ...
/a/aenon.htm - 8k

Lord (59401 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) A title bestowed on the persons above named; and also, for honor, on certain
official persons; as, lord advocate, lord chamberlain, lord chancellor ...
/l/lord.htm - 61k

Ascension (1 Occurrence)
... 1. Epistles: Nothing is recorded of the actual Ascension, but 1 John 2:1 says that
"we have an Advocate with the Father." The word "Advocate" is the same as ...
/a/ascension.htm - 34k

Intercession (12 Occurrences)
... Christ intercedes for us, without us, as our advocate in heaven, according
to the provisions of the everlasting covenant. The Holy ...
/i/intercession.htm - 52k

Zechariah (55 Occurrences)
... 12-14, except 13:7-9, were composed by some unknown contemporary of Jeremiah in
the 7th century BC On the other hand, there are also those who advocate a late ...
/z/zechariah.htm - 70k

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