Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. John 16:7
There are two references in Scripture to the Holy Spirit’s being our Helper. One is the aforementioned verse, John 16:7: "But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper shall not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you."
Here the word is parakletos, which literally means "called to another’s side to aid, help or support." While often used to describe a legal advocate or attorney, it is not limited to this, but includes any and every means of helping.
Another interesting use of the term parakletos was in ancient warfare. "Greek soldiers went into battle in pairs so when the enemy attacked, they could draw together back-to-back, covering each other’s blind side. One’s battle partner was the paraclete."
(Donna's note: the definition in the first passage comes from James Strong, The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1990), ref. no. 3875;
the one about Greek soldiers comes from Edward K. Rowell, Fresh Illustrations for Preaching and Teaching (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1997), p. 110.)
Much more powerful than simply a blanket, for sure.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your posts, Donna!
ReplyDeleteSorry to be off topic, but the email I sent you a month or so ago must not have made it to your inbox, nor the one which I sent to Onxy Press, where I've been trying to buy your CD on the nativity (The Holy Child Jesus). I click on the buy now button and it takes me to paypal but won't go any further. Is there any other place I can buy the CD? TIA!
I sent you an email, Laura.
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