Advocate

(Gr. parakletos), one who pleads another’s cause, who helps another by defending or comforting him. It is a name given by Christ three times to the Holy Ghost (John 14:16; 15:26; 16:7, where the Greek word is rendered “Comforter,” q.v.). It is applied to Christ in 1 John 2:1, where the same Greek word is rendered “Advocate,” the rendering which it should have in all the places where it occurs. Tertullus “the orator” (Acts 24:1) was a Roman advocate whom the Jews employed to accuse Paul before Felix.

or Paraclete, one that pleads the cause of another. (1 John 2:1) Used by Christ, (John 14:16; 15:26; 16:7) to describe the office and work of the Holy Spirit, and translated Comforter, i.e. (see margin of Revised Version) Advocate, Helper, Intercessor. This use of the word is derived from the fact that the Jews, being largely ignorant of the Roman law and the Roman language, had to employ Roman advocates in their trials before Roman courts. Applied to Christ, (1 John 2:1)

AD'VOCATE, or PAR'ACLETE. 1 John 2:1. One who pleads another's cause, a counsellor, an intercessor. It is the term used by Christ to describe the office of the Holy Spirit, John 14:16; John 15:26; John 16:7, but translated in A. V. "Comforter." It is also applied to Christ as our intercessor. 1 John 2:1. The forensic office of advocate was unknown among the Jews before their subjection to the Romans; then they were obliged to conduct their trials before the Roman magistrates after the Roman manner. Their ignorance of their conquerors' law compelled them to employ advocates or lawyers speaking Greek and Latin. Such an advocate was Tertullus, whom the Jews hired to accuse Paul before Felix. Acts 24:1. See Trial.

AD'VOCATE, or PAR'ACLETE. 1 John 2:1. One who pleads another's cause, a counsellor, an intercessor. It is the term used by Christ to describe the office of the Holy Spirit, John 14:16; John 15:26; John 16:7, but translated in A. V. "Comforter." It is also applied to Christ as our intercessor. 1 John 2:1. The forensic office of advocate was unknown among the Jews before their subjection to the Romans; then they were obliged to conduct their trials before the Roman magistrates after the Roman manner. Their ignorance of their conquerors' law compelled them to employ advocates or lawyers speaking Greek and Latin. Such an advocate was Tertullus, whom the Jews hired to accuse Paul before Felix. Acts 24:1. See Trial.

Part of speech: noun (n.)

1. One who pleads the cause of another. Specifically: One who pleads the cause of another before a tribunal or judicial court; a counselor.

2. One who defends, vindicates, or espouses any cause by argument; a pleader; as, an advocate of free trade, an advocate of truth.

3. Christ, considered as an intercessor. We have an Advocate with the Father. 1 John ii. 1. Faculty of advocates (Scot.), the Scottish bar in Edinburgh. -- Lord advocate (Scot.), the public prosecutor of crimes, and principal crown lawyer. -- Judge advocate. See under Judge.

Part of speech: verb (v.)

To plead in favor of; to defend by argument, before a tribunal or the public; to support, vindicate, or recommend publicly. To advocate the cause of thy client. Bp. Sanderson (1624). This is the only thing distinct and sensible, that has been advocated. Burke. Eminent orators were engaged to advocate his cause. Mitford.

Part of speech: verb (v.)

To act as advocate. [Obs.] Fuller.