Bible Dictionary
COMFORTLESS
Comfortless means desolate or deprived of parents, guardians, teachers, or guides. Jesus promised that His disciples would not be left as orphans, because the Holy Spirit would come as their abiding divine Helper.
Definition
Comfortless means desolate or deprived of a father, parents, guardian, teacher, or guide. It describes the condition of those left without the care and direction normally supplied by such a person.
Biblical Usage
Jesus promised His disciples that they would not be left as orphans. The coming of the Holy Spirit would make Christ and the Father an abiding spiritual presence to them.
Historical Background
The Greek term occurs twice in the New Testament, translated “comfortless” in John and “fatherless” in James.
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>kum'-fert-les (orphanous, "orphans"): The Greek original is found but twice in the New Testament; rendered "comfortless" in Joh 14:18, the Revised Version (British and American) "desolate"; "fatherless" in Jas 1:27 (compare Ps 68:5). The term signifies bereft of a father, parents, guardian, teacher, guide, and indicates what must be the permanent ministry of the Holy Spirit to the disciples of Jesus, in comforting their hearts. In harmony with these parting words Jesus had called the chosen twelve "little children" (Joh 13:33); without Him they would be "orphans," comfortless, desolate. The coming of the Holy Spirit would make Christ and the Father forever real to them, an abiding spiritual presence.</p><p>Dwight M. Pratt</p>