Why the Holy Spirit is called the "Paraclete"
In John’s Gospel, Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit as the Paraclete. The term Paraclete is derived from the Latin word Paraclitus, which in turn comes from the ancient Greek word Paraclitos (paraclitos). Paraclitos is formed from two Greek words: (1) para which is a preposition meaning near to, or by the side of, (hence we have words like parallel [a line which runs alongside another line], paralegal [someone who works alongside a lawyer], paradox [something placed in contrast to what would have been expected], etc.; (2) clitos means someone who is called, as for example when someone is called on for help or called for military service.
Together these two root words, para-clete, mean literally someone called to the side of another. While we do not have a specific word in English to designate someone called to the side of someone else, the term Paraclete was quite a useful one in ancient Greece. It was used to describe someone called to the side of another person to defend him or her in battle, or in the court room, or to console someone in grief, or counsel someone in difficulty. When Christ was preparing to leave His disciples, He told them that He would send them the Holy Spirit, and referred to the Holy Spirit as the Paraclete. The Holy Spirit as the Paraclete was sent or called to the side of the Apostles to guide, defend, inspire, counsel, encourage, and do much more in the early Church.
The Holy Spirit, the Paraclete, continues to do all this today, provided we only believe in Christ and call upon the Holy Spirit to help us. What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" (Luke 11:11-13)
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