Who Is the Helper?
The Helper in John 14:16 refers to the Holy Spirit. The term is derived from the Greek word paraklētos (παράκλητος), which comes from a verb meaning “to call alongside.” It carries the sense of “one who is called to help,” and can be translated as “Advocate,” “Counselor,” or “Comforter.”
Jesus promised that He would ask the Father to give the disciples “another Helper,” who would be with them forever (John 14:16–17). This Helper is called “the Spirit of truth” (John 14:16–17). In light of His impending death, Jesus assured His disciples that He would send the Helper to take His place among them.
The ministry of the Holy Spirit as Helper is multifaceted. He teaches all things and brings to remembrance everything Jesus has said (John 14:26). Jesus declared that unless He departed, the Helper would not come; but when He comes, He will convict the world concerning sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:7–8). When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide believers into all the truth. The Helper also testifies about Christ (John 15:26).
The Helper is the Father’s gift to those who love and obey the Son. The Father grants the Holy Spirit to those who are in a saving relationship with His Son.
- Gospel Serve, “Helper,” in Dictionary of Bible Cultural Background (Seoul: Word of Life Press, 2018), 638.
- Jeffrey E. Miller, “Helper,” in Lexham Bible Dictionary, ed. John D. Barry (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2021).
- Colin G. Kruse, The Gospel according to John, trans. Bae Yongdeok, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (Seoul: Christian Literature Society of Korea, 2013), 453.
