παρακλητος.This word signifies one who takes up the cause of another. 1 John 2:1 . The same Greek word is translated 'Comforter' in John 14:16,26; John 15:26; John 16:7 . From this we learn that the word applies both to the Lord Jesus and to the Holy Spirit. "If any man sin we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." This applies to Christ in the glory: He is not an advocate for the unconverted, but for the Christian if he should sin; and it is with the Father, for the one who sins is a son. Sin breaks the communion, and the advocacy of Christ is to restore it. He is the Paraclete in heaven, who takes up the cause of the saint, and the Holy Spirit is the same on earth to secure the spiritual welfare of God's people. See HOLY SPIRIT.