ADVOCATE. The tr. of παράκλητος, G4156, found in 1 John 2:1: “My little children, I am writing this to you so that you may not sin; but if any one does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” The word means: (1) a legal advocate, (2) an intercessor, (3) a helper. John means that Christ is the legal advocate and intercessor with the Father when one falls into sin. The next v. shows that the basis of His intercession is His propitiatory death for sin. The word parákletos occurs four other times in the NT (John 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7), but in these passages it is a title given to the Holy Spirit. In all four occurrences the KJV tr. it “comforter,” but recent Eng. VSS prefer renderings such as “counselor,” “helper,” “advocate.” See Paraclete.