Expert: Messianic Rabbi Yochanan Levine - 8/30/2007

Question
Hi, thank you very much for your useful website.
Could you please tell me who that Comforter in John 16:7.
Thank you again
God bless.

Answer
Hi John,

Thanks, I like to be of help when I can.

That verse of course says: Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

The word Comforter here means basically the same as it does in English. One who gives comfort, who gives support etc. But consider the meaning of the word "him" (...I will send him unto you.) here:

According to Strong's:
Autos: 846 aujtovß Autos (ow-tos');
Word Origin: Greek,
from the particle au [perhaps akin to the base of (109) through the idea of a baffling wind] (backward)

himself, herself, themselves, itself
he, she, it
the same  

The word is not a personal pronoun that references a "he" who is third Person of a Trinity, but more of a consciously directed gender nonspecific "It". We note the reference of the idea of a 'wind'. This Comforter therefore references the Mighty Wind described at Acts 2:2. It is the inspiring Wind of God, God's Spirit, not a individual being.

The disciples had been depending on the physical presence of their master, but Jesus tells them that now they must depend on the Spirit of God to lead them. This is the same idea John speaks of:

I John 2:26 These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.
27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

The Spirit of God, as a Wind of Divine Inspiration, will lead those who are open to God's direction. That Holy presence is our comfort, our inspiration.

John 3:8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit

Hope this helps,
~John of AllFaith