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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadInternational Standard Bible Encyclopedia: Comfortless
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kum´fẽrt-les (ὀÏφανουÌÏ‚, orphanouÌs, “orphansâ€): The Greek original is found but twice in the New Testament; rendered “comfortless†in , the Revised Version (British and American) “desolateâ€; “fatherless†in (compare ). 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†(); 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.