"And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever--the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you" (John 14:16-17, NIV).
The term translated "Counselor" here is the same term translated "Advocate" in 1 John 2:1. In 1 John, John is expressing Jesus' role as intercessor. Jesus stands before the Father applying his merit to us. But in John 14:16, and 14:26, Jesus is explaining the Spirit's role as our Counselor. The King James Version uses "Comforter." The English Standard Version uses the term "Helper." The original word can be translated as adviser, mediator, intercessor, or legal advocate. It refers to one who comes along side in order to exhort or encourage.
Jesus said that he would ask the Father to send us another Counselor. The word another, in this context, means one of the same kind. For this reason, Jesus speaks of the Spirit's work in our lives as his own work. Throughout John 14:15-21, Jesus says things like, "I will come to you," or "you will realize . . . I am in you," or "and [I will] show myself to him." Even as he distinguishes himself from the Spirit, Jesus affirms his oneness with the Spirit.
So the Spirit is a Counselor for us. But in what way? Jesus offers a few ways in this passage.
1. He comes along side us to keep us from being orphans. The presence of the Spirit is a mark of sonship. As Paul said, "For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship, and by him we cry, 'Abba, Father'" (Rom. 8:15).
2. He comes along side of us to give us life. Jesus said, "Because I live, you also will live." Why? Because the Spirit who lives with us also lives in us, and so Christ lives in us.
3. He comes along side of us to show us Jesus. Through the Spirit, we see Jesus with eyes of faith.
4. He comes along side of us to teach us all things. In John 14:26, Jesus said the Spirit would teach us all things. Jesus probably meant that the Spirit would teach us all things necessary to live in obedience to God.
5. He comes along side of us to remind us of what Jesus taught. Again, in John 14:26, Jesus said this would be one of the works of the Spirit.
Our Counselor, the Holy Spirit, brings us to life and enables us to know Jesus. He exhorts and encourages us to walk in obedience. And he brings us into the presence of Christ.
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