The etymology of the word "Paraclete"

[tonychanyt]

English Standard Version, John 14:

26 But the Helper [G3875], the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

Strong's Concordance
paraklétos: called to one's aid
Original Word: παράκλητος, ου, ὁ
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: paraklétos
Usage: (a) an advocate, intercessor, (b) a consoler, comforter, helper, (c) Paraclete.

The Greek G3875 is made of two parts, HELPS Word-studies:

3875 paráklētos (from 3844 /pará, "from close-beside" and 2564 /kaléō, "make a call") – properly, a legal advocate who makes the right judgment-call because close enough to the situation.

The Paraclete is so close to us that he dwells in our hearts (our human spirits). He is so close to us that he knows exactly what is going on with us. He makes the right calls to advise us on a daily basis.

The whole word was used as a technical and legal term in the Roman judicial system:

3875 /paráklētos ("advocate, advisor-helper") is the regular term in NT times of an attorney (lawyer) – i.e. someone giving evidence that stands up in court.

Wiki:

"παράκλητος [does not have] any independent meaning of its own, it is in fact a calque for the Latin term advocatus meaning a person of high social standing who speaks on behalf of a defendant in a court of law before a judge. When Greeks came into contact with the Roman Empire [...] the word παράκλητοs was developed as a precise equivalent to the Latin legal term advocatus.

Our Paraclete serves that role as our defense lawyer before the Father, 1 John 2:

1b But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate [G3875] with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

 

[GDL]

I see much more included in this word than legal advocacy. And Jesus Christ the Righteous, not the Holy Spirit as Paraclete, is said to be the Paraclete as legal advocate in 1 John 2:1.

There are many uses of cognates in the OC Scriptures. It thus has some background.

In John 4:18, in the context of Jesus speaking of the Paraclete, He uses a word often translated as "orphans" but having more range than that:

[BDAG] ὀρφανός​

• ὀρφανός, ή, όν (cp. Lat. orbus, ‘bereft (of)’; in var. senses relating to loss of a relationship Hom. et al.)​

1. pert. to being deprived of parents, without parents, orphan
2. pert. to being without the aid and comfort of one who serves as associate and friend, orphaned,​

John 14 context is the Father being revealed. John 14:23 is our Father and our Lord coming to make their dwelling with us and the giving of the Paraclete and dwelling of the Father and the Son are in response to our obedience. In John 14:26 the Paraclete will teach and remind of what Christ said and then Jesus immediately speaks of peace, not being troubled or afraid.

With this quick review and seeing the advocacy of Jesus Christ in the context of dealing with our sins, I'm not sure I'd even see the Holy Spirit as Paraclete in the sense of legal advocate.

 

[tonychanyt]

With this quick review and seeing the advocacy of Jesus Christ in the context of dealing with our sins, I'm not sure I'd even see the Holy Spirit as Paraclete in the sense of legal advocate.

See Who is the Paraclete? and follow up there.

 

[GDL]

See Who is the Paraclete? and follow up there.

Saw it. Thanks. Already said my peace here for now.