The Helper
The Helper: Understanding the Role of the Holy Spirit
[Remember] that these words were written as a Farewell message to anxious disciples who feared the imminent loss of Jesus, their physical companion and guide.
—Gerald L. Borchert, John 12–21, vol. 25B, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2002), 170.
My last post ended on a bit of a downer, expect hatred for your love. How can we possibly live a life of love, bearing fruit while the world hates us? We are not alone; we have a Helper.
The Helper
“But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning.
— John 15:26-27 NKJV
Here, Jesus is circling back to a topic He introduced back in John 14:15-31
15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.
— John 14:15-18 NKJV
Now Jesus is finishing His thoughts on the role of the Holy Spirit (Helper/Paraclete).
Excursus
When you study the Holy Spirit, you may come across the word ‘paraclete.’ Here’s a helpful description.
Paraclete. Transliteration of a Greek word meaning “one who is called to someone’s aid” or “one who advocates another.” Thus the term may be used technically for a lawyer. More generally the word denotes one who acts in another’s behalf as a mediator, an intercessor, or a comforter. In 1 John 2:1 Christ is called a paraclete as he represents people to God. This function is akin to his ministry as high priest (cf. Heb 7:25–28).
The most numerous uses of paraclete come in John’s Gospel, all referring to the work of the Holy Spirit (Jn 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:13). In these passages Jesus declares that the Holy Spirit will come from the Father when he departs. The paraclete, also called “the Spirit of truth,” will lead them into all truth and aid them in their ability to recall correctly Jesus’ message. He is to become their special replacement for the departed Lord.
— Walter A. Elwell and Barry J. Beitzel, “Paraclete,” in Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1988), 1614.
In John 15:26-16:4, Jesus emphasizes the role of the Holy Spirit in the context of persecution. However, as we continue reading, we will see that the Holy Spirit has other tasks as well, including serving as a court counselor and judge on behalf of the disciples, and as a guide.
Persecuted
As I mentioned earlier, Jesus introduces the work of the Helper in the context of persecution. When Jesus’ followers are suffering under persecution, they are not alone. The Helper will testify of Jesus; interestingly, the disciples are also to bear witness. The text seems to suggest that the Helper should not be expected to do all the work while we sit back and do nothing. Instead, as we bear witness, we know that the Holy Spirit also testifies of Jesus. We are not alone, as we share the gospel, we know that we have a Helper from the Father who testifies of Jesus. There aren’t two different patterns of witnessing. The Spirit works in the disciples (John 14:17), and they share the same mission: to give witness to Jesus.
As we share the gospel, the Holy Spirit works within us, and together we accomplish the mission Jesus has given us: discipling those around us. (see Living Missionally) This verse highlights God’s intended harmony of humans and the Holy Spirit working together in the mission of sharing the gospel.
Personality
In John 15:26, Jesus says that the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father will testify of Him (Jesus). This can cause some to think of the Holy Spirit as an impersonal influence emanating from the Father and influencing our emotions. But Jesus refers to the Spirit of truth as “He.”
“But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me.
— John 15:26 NIV (bold mine)
Jesus is intentional here; this is not simply a slip of the tongue. The Greek language has three grammatical genders: masculine, feminine, and neuter. Jesus could have referred to the Spirit with a neuter pronoun, which is typically used for inanimate objects or abstract concepts. So Jesus’ use of a masculine pronoun indicates that He understood the “Spirit of truth” or the “Helper” as a personal being.
The pronoun used of the Spirit here is the masculine case (ekeinos), which might normally seem to be unusual because its referent noun, pneuma, “spirit,” is neuter. But John undoubtedly considered the Spirit as a personal being and not as something impersonal, a mere force.
—Gerald L. Borchert, John 12–21, vol. 25B, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2002), 159.
Hostility
“These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble. 2 They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service. 3 And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me. 4 But these things I have told you, that when the time comes, you may remember that I told you of them.
“And these things I did not say to you at the beginning, because I was with you.
— John 16:1-4 NKJV
But just because we will have the help of the Holy Spirit, it does not mean that life will be easy. Jesus’ disciples were full of the Holy Spirit, yet they were often rejected, persecuted, and most of them were killed. Jesus is not promising numerical success but rather is warning against stumbling.
I have had the experience of eagerly studying the Bible with people, expecting everyone that I study the Bible with to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, be baptized, and join my church. However, I have had many people turn me away, and many never complete the studies, while others never make a decision. I tend to take these experiences, label them a failure, and then take them very personally, and begin to wonder if maybe I should just give up.
Jesus is being very clear with His disciples, and I believe His words are just as relevant to us today. Do not be made to stumble when you encounter resistance and rejection. I believe that as we approach the end of times, God’s faithful followers will be treated like the early Christians, and that those who persecute and mistreat them will believe they are offering God a service. Therefore, I believe that Jesus’ words to His disciples are also applicable to us.
Falling Away
The Greek verb translated in the New King James Version of the Bible as “made to stumble” is skandalizo, from which we get the English words “scandal” and “scandalize.” In John 16:1, the Greek verb “skandalizo” is in the passive voice, which means to “give up one’s faith” or “fall into sin.” The same word was used in John 6:61, in the active voice, when Jesus’ followers began to complain and turn away from Him (John 6:66). This reminds us of the people who accompanied Moses in the wilderness, who did not enter the Promised Land. They did not make it not because God failed them, but they chose to complain and distrust God’s promises. They wanted an easy journey, and the challenges caused them to fall away. God always provided the water, the food, and the protection they needed, yet they chose to complain and to want to return to the place of bondage (Egypt). There was a sense of security that came from their familiarity with bondage. In contrast, their freedom brought a level of uncertainty, demanding courage and faith that would be built over time.
Paul shares his thoughts on the people of Israel who died in the desert, reminding his listeners how those Israelites entered into idolatry and immorality (1 Corinthians 10:6-10). Further warning against idolatry and immorality can be found in Acts 15:20, 29, and Revelation 2:14, 20. Also, 1 Corinthians 9-10 and Hebrews 6, 10 for more context of Paul’s thoughts. These passages should not be viewed as condemnations, but rather as warnings, for our benefit, to prevent us from falling (1 Corinthians 9:27; 10:11).
We are on a journey with Jesus. In many ways, the comforts of our old addictions and our past life of sin can seem appealing during difficult periods. Just like the children of Israel in the wilderness, sometimes it feels like God has abandoned us and we will go hungry, or thirsty, or die on the journey. But God is faithful. If we trust and continue to show up, God always delivers and provides for us. (Pray. Show Up. Don’t Give Up) It is the fear and our lack of trust/faith that causes us to stumble and fall away. So Jesus tells us ahead of time that the journey will be highly challenging, but He also guarantees us the victory. (spoiler alert! John 16:33)
Prophecy
Jesus tells His disciples what will happen in the future, not to instill fear, but so they can prepare accordingly and not fall away. We often consider success, prosperity, and overall well-being as signs of our obedience and divine approval. When things go wrong and we face difficulties, we tend to feel abandoned by God or that He is displeased with us. If Jesus was persecuted and killed, His disciples should expect similar experiences.
Jesus also clarifies the reason for the persecution, it is because “they have not known the Father nor Me.” (John 16:3) Interestingly, Jesus did not even hint that His disciples should flee and hide and stop witnessing, bearing fruit, and sharing the Gospel.
In fact, just the opposite is expected. And to make their witnessing effective the Paraclete, the Spirit of truth or authenticity, is promised to them to support them in their witnessing.
—Gerald L. Borchert, John 12–21, vol. 25B, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2002), 162.
Jesus also told His disciples what would happen ahead of time, so that when it happened, they would remember what He had said and their faith would be strengthened. Jesus did not need to say these things before because He was with them, and while He was with His disciples, all the hate was focused on Him. But once He died and rose and went to the Father, that hate would be focused on His followers.
The Work of the Holy Spirit
5 “But now I go away to Him who sent Me, and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ 6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. 7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. 8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 of sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; 11 of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.
— John 16:5-11 NKJV
This is not the first time that Jesus says that He is going away.
Then Jesus said to them, “I shall be with you a little while longer, and then I go to Him who sent Me.
— John 7:33 NKJVLittle children, I shall be with you a little while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come,’ so now I say to you.
— John 13:33 NKJVIn My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
— John 14:1 NKJV
The Advantage
Jesus is trying to open the eyes of His disciples to the spiritual resource that will be supplied to them. Still, they are fixated on Jesus’ physical absence, especially in a hostile world. This might have been a familiar sentiment among the early church if only Jesus were still around. We might feel similarly nowadays, wishing Jesus were present in the flesh. But Jesus wants us to understand that it is to our advantage that He went away. (John 16:7) Jesus may be physically absent, but He sent us the Helper.
While on earth, Jesus was limited to being physically present in only one place at a time. The helper does not have these limitations. He can be with all the believers at the same time. Indeed, it is to our benefit that Jesus sent the Helper.
The Lamb of God had to be slain, and with the death and resurrection of Jesus, we begin what you could call a New Era. Jesus had to complete His work on earth, die for our sins, and conquer death.
Conviction
The Holy Spirit does what we cannot do on our own: He convicts the world of sin. How often do we become frustrated when trying to do the work of the Holy Spirit? How often do we take it upon ourselves to convict the world of sin? Jesus teaches that this is the work of the Holy Spirit. We see an example of this in Acts 2 when Peter preached to the multitude.
Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”
— Acts 2:37 NKJV
Peter preached the gospel, He lifted up Jesus, and the Holy Spirit convicted the multitude of their sins, and they inquired of Peter what they should do next. Peter did not manipulate anyone or twist anyone’s arm; he preached Jesus, and the Holy Spirit did the convicting. The people turned to Peter and asked what their next step should be. And Peter was clear.
Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
— Acts 2:38 NKJV
But the Holy Spirit does not stop at simply convicting the world of sin. He also convicts them of righteousness.
Not only does the Spirit expose sin; He convicts of positive righteousness. He urges men to accept the righteousness of Christ, both the imputed (Rom. 10:3–10) and the imparted (Gal. 2:20; Phil. 2:13).
—Francis D. Nichol, ed., The Seventh-Day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 5 (Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1980), 1047.
The third work of the Holy Spirit listed by Jesus is to convict the world of judgment. Jesus often warned His listeners of judgment (Matthew 5:21-22; 10:15; 11:22,24; 12:36). No one will escape judgment; it is as sure as death (Hebrews 9:27). Though judgment should not be our first topic when sharing the gospel, it is a part of the truth Jesus shared (Mark 9:43-48; Revelation 14”:9-11).
Thus the Spirit convicts men of their sin, points them to the salvation and righteousness that is in Jesus, and warns them of the consequences of continuing in their sins and of neglecting the salvation freely proffered.
—Francis D. Nichol, ed., The Seventh-Day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 5 (Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1980), 1048.
God has provided only one means of salvation (Acts 4:12; 1 Corinthians 3:11), which is faith in Jesus Christ (John 3:16, 18, 36). The Jews rejected Jesus, and the Holy Spirit would convict them of that sin (John 15:22; Acts 2:37).
During His earthly ministry, Jesus had pointed the way to the perfect righteousness of those who enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:48; 6:33), and now that He was leaving, the Holy Spirit would take up this work.
With the death of Jesus, the true character of Satan would be revealed, and with Jesus’ resurrection, Satan would be defeated (Revelation 12:7-12).
In the midst of a hostile world, therefore, the disciples are clearly shown that to take the side of the world is hardly a viable option because of its dire consequences. The prince of the world and all who side with him stand condemned.
—Gerald L. Borchert, John 12–21, vol. 25B, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2002), 167.
A Guide
12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.
— John 16:12-15 NKJV
When you are out in the wilderness and unexplored territory, having a guide is vital. Jesus wraps up this section on the work of the Holy Spirit by describing Him as a guide. When the way seems impossible and the environment is unwelcoming, your guide is a source of not only information and insight but also of security and comfort. When the way is clearly marked and the environment is familiar, we feel no need for a guide. However, when there is no discernible path and dangers surround us, then we realize the importance of a guide. You will not feel the need for the Holy Spirit when you lounge in your comfort zone.
Jesus knew that the disciples would feel lost without Him. He knew that they needed more information, and He was eager to impart it to them, but they were unable to take in any more at this point. They would spend the rest of their lives learning about Jesus and the Father, but for that to happen successfully, they would need the guidance of the Holy Spirit. That is why it is crucial to always pray for the Holy Spirit whenever you open the Bible to read it.
Such an expression is not primarily focused on the context of communicating pedantic secular knowledge or even sophisticated astrophysical and microprocessed genetic information. But the focus is upon one’s life-defining orientation with God and in turn how that affects the way one is guided and related to the various information highways of life.
—Gerald L. Borchert, John 12–21, vol. 25B, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2002), 169.
Conclusion
Keep in mind that Jesus spoke these words as a farewell message to His anxious disciples, who were terrified at the prospect of losing Jesus, their physical companion, guide, and teacher. Jesus knew that their future would be traumatic for them, and they would need a Helper, the Holy Spirit, to guide them through the coming wilderness. Jesus’ words are more than just a farewell; they are also full of hope and guidance, and that guidance is available to us today as well.
Practical Application
I want to encourage you to pray intentionally for the Holy Spirit. Here’s a great promise to quote during your prayer.
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”
—Luke 11:13 NKJV
Jesus says the Father is willing to give the Holy Spirit to those who ask, so let us ask daily!
