And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
And I will ... The connection between this and what before is apt to escape observation. But it deems to be this that as the proper temple for the indwelling Spirit of Jesus is a heart filled with an obediential love to Him-a love to Him which at once yields itself obediently to Him and lives actively for Him-so this was the fitting preparation for the promised gift, and He would accordingly get it for them. But how?
I will pray the Father. It is perhaps a pity that the English word "pray" is ever used of Christ's askings of the Father. For of the two words used in the Gospels, that signifying to pray as we do-suppliantly, or as an inferior to a superior х aitein (G154)] - is never used of Christ's asking of the Father, except once by Martha (John 11:22), who knew no better. The word invariably used of Christ's askings by Himself х erootan (G2065)] signifies what one asks, not suppliantly, but familiarly, as equals do of each other. Bengel notes this, but the subject is fully and beautifully handled by Trench ('Synonyms of the New Testament')
And he shall give you ANOTHER COMFORTER, х allon (G243) parakleeton (G3875)]. Since this word is used in the New Testament exclusively by John-five times in this discourse of the Holy Spirit (here; John 5:26; John 15:26; John 16:7), and once in his first Epistle, of Christ Himself (1 John 2:1) - it is important to fix the sense of it. Literally, the word signifies one 'called beside' or 'to' another, to 'aid' him. In this most general sense the Holy Spirit is undoubtedly sent 'to our aid,' and every kind of aid coming within the proper sphere of His operations. But more particularly, the word denotes that kind of aid which an Advocate renders to one in a court of justice. So it was used by the Greeks; and so undoubtedly it is used in 1 John 2:1, "If any man sin, we have an Advocate х parakleeton (G3875)] with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." But it also denotes that kind of aid which a Comforter affords to one who needs such. The question, then, is, Which of these is here intended-the general sense of a Helper; the more definite sense of an Advocate; or the other definite sense of a Comforter? Taking all the four passages in which the Spirit thus spoken of in this discourse, that of a Helper certainly lies at the foundation; but that of a Comforter seems to us to be the kind of help which suits best with the strain of the discourse at this place. The comfort of Christ's personal presence with the Eleven had been such, that while they had it they seemed to want for nothing; and the loss of it would seem the loss of everything-utter desolation (John 14:18). It is to meet this, as we think, that He says He will ask the Father to send them another Comforter; and in all these four passages, it is an all-sufficient, all-satisfying Substitute for Himself that He holds forth this promised Gift. But this will open up more and more upon us as we advance in this discourse.
That he may abide with you forever - never to go away from them, as in the body Jesus Himself was about to do.