Note 25 at Jn. 14:16: Remember that Jesus was saying these things to His disciples so that they would not be offended (see note 5 at Jn. 14:2, p. 431). Beginning with this verse and continuing through verse 27, Jesus is speaking to His disciples about the Holy Spirit, which is the Comforter. The ministry of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer is the front line of defense against the devil and his devices of defeat.

Note 26 at Jn. 14:16: The Holy Spirit was active in the Old Testament but the ministry of the Holy Spirit to the New Testament believer has some major differences. One of these differences is that once the believer receives the Holy Spirit, He remains forever. During the Old Testament days, the Holy Spirit came and went in (1 Pet. 1:11) and among men. David expressed fear over God taking His Holy Spirit from him (Ps. 51:11). This is in sharp contrast with promises of the New Testament (this verse; Rom. 8:35-39; Eph. 1:13-14; Heb. 13:5).