And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
Ver. 16. And he shall give you another Comforter] Or, pleader, deprecator, advocate, παρακλητον. Properly it signifies such a one as we send for, when we are in any danger, to advise and counsel us. The devil is called the accuser, Κατηγορος, in full opposition to this name and title given here to the Holy Spirit; whose office it is (as this attribute here imports) to make intercession in our hearts to God for us; and upon our true repentance to make our apology, 1 Corinthians 7:11; to comfort us, by discovering our graces, 1 Corinthians 2:12, and by pleading our evidences, Romans 8:18, which they that refuse to read over and rest upon, they help Satan, the accuser, taking his part against themselves, and pleading his cause against the Spirit their Comforter.
That he may abide with you for ever] The Spirit (saith Dr Sibbs) is Christ's vicar-general, with whom he leaves us, and by whom he is with us to the end of the world.