John 14:16

Love for Jesus would result in the disciples’ obedience to His commands. It would also result in Jesus’ requesting another (Gr. allon, another of the same kind) Helper to take His place in His absence from them (cf. John 14:26; John 15:26; John 16:7-15; 1 John 2:1). The Greek word translated "Helper" or "Counselor" is parakletos. Both of these English words have connotations that are absent from the Greek word. Helper connotes an inferior, which the Holy Spirit is not. Counselor can call to mind a camp counselor or a marriage counselor whereas a legal counselor is more in harmony with the Greek idea. [Note: For further study of the term "paraclete," see Morris, pp. 587-91.] In secular contexts parakletos often referred to a legal assistant, an advocate, or simply a helper (e.g., a witness or a representative in court). [Note: H. G. Liddell and R. Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon, s.v. parakletos.] The verbal form of this word, parakaleo, literally means to call alongside and, therefore, to encourage or to strengthen. Muslims typically believe that Mohammed is the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise that He would sent another counselor.

Jesus spoke of the Trinity in the following relationships. The Son would request that the Father send the Spirit to take the Son’s place as the believer’s encourager and strengthener. It was hard for these Jewish believers who had grown up believing that there is but one God to grasp that Jesus was God. It must have been even more difficult for them to think of the Spirit of God as a person rather than as God’s influence. Nevertheless New Testament revelation is clear that there are three Persons within the Godhead (e.g., 2 Corinthians 13:14). Most non-Christian religions deny the triunity of God (e.g., Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, et al.).

The Spirit of God had come on Old Testament believers temporarily to give them strength, but normally He did not remain with them (cf. Psalms 51:11). What Jesus spoke of here was an abiding relationship in which the Spirit remained with believers for the rest of their lives (cf. Romans 8:9). This new relationship to the Holy Spirit is one of the distinctive differences between the church age and former dispensations. It is a blessing few Christians appreciate as we should.