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Advocate
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (1915)
Found in
(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 (
See Paraclete; Comforter; Holy Spirit.