UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament

Sense 1: Helper, Encourager, Mediator

Semantic entry: 12.19

Semantic domains: Supernatural Beings and Powers

Subdomains: Supernatural Beings

Definition: (a title for the Holy Spirit) one who helps, by consoling, encouraging, or mediating on behalf of

Notes: The principal difficulty encountered in rendering παράκλητος is the fact that this term covers potentially such a wide area of meaning. The traditional rendering of ‘Comforter’ is especially misleading because it suggests only one very limited aspect of what the Holy Spirit does. A term such as ‘Helper’ is highly generic and can be particularly useful in some languages. In certain instances, for example, the concept of ‘Helper’ is expressed idiomatically, for example, ‘the one who mothers us’ or, as in one language in Central Africa, ‘the one who falls down beside us,’ that is to say, an individual who upon finding a person collapsed along the road, kneels down beside the victim, cares for his needs, and carries him to safety.|A rendering based upon the concept of legal advocate seems in most instances to be too restrictive. Furthermore, there may be quite unsatisfactory connotations associated with any word which suggests a lawyer, especially since in so many societies, a lawyer is thought of primarily as one who ‘bribes the judges’ or ‘can speak two truths’ or, as in one language, is ‘a professional liar.’ See also παράκλητος 35.16: παράκλητος and especially its footnote.

Sense 2: helper

Semantic entry: 35.16

Semantic domains: Help, Care For

Subdomains: Help

Definition: (derivative of παρακαλέω ‘to call upon to provide help,’ not occurring in this specific sense in the NT) one who may be called upon to provide help or assistance{N:001}