Part 2 of 3
In our previous study of Ecclesiastes 4, we looked at a situation in which one is better than both zero or two, based on verses 4 to 6. In this article, we will consider a different situation in which two is better than one.
The Meaninglessness of Loneliness (vv. 7-8)
Verse 7 introduces the second instance of meaninglessness in a life that is lived under the sun. “Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.”
The preacher goes on to speak of the vanity of loneliness. “There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.”
Solomon is still thinking about the first man in the previous section, who is successful and who has his two hands full, but who has no satisfaction and peace. He brings in another aspect of worldly success, namely, loneliness. Perhaps he does so because he observes that successful people are quite often lonely people as well.
In verse 8, we are told of a man who has no family or close relatives or friends. We may call him the wealthy but lonely miser. He works very hard. He obtains great riches. But he has no one in his lifetime who can benefit from his riches, and when he dies, there is no one whom he can leave his money to.
Some years back, I spoke to a man who works as a financial advisor in one of the big insurance companies. He told me he was 36 years old and was married but without children. He then said that recently he started thinking about having children because it suddenly occurred to him one day that he will have no one to inherit all his wealth after he dies.
Sadly, the lonely miser in our text is so busy with his work and money making that he does not even pause to ask himself what is the point and purpose of gathering so much wealth. Verse 8 says, “neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave (or deprive) my soul of good?”
His busy lifestyle leaves him with no time to start a family or to develop friendships. He is never guilty of neglecting his family and friends because he has no family or friends in the first place! He may have many business associates or partners or colleagues around him, but they are just superficial contacts. He has no real friendship and no genuine companionship. He is a wealthy but lonely man. “There is one alone, and there is not a second,” says Solomon.
The Advantages of Companionship (vv. 9-12)
But this reflection on the lonely and pitiful miser leads Solomon to think about the advantages of companionship, which is the third section of our text, from verses 9-12.
In essence, what Solomon is saying here is that two are better than one and he gives four illustrations of this principle.
First, two are better than one in work. Verse 9, “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.” This could mean that the economic returns of two persons working together are more than that of just one person. Or it could refer to the joy of being able to do good to another person through one’s labour and hard work. Both are possible interpretations but the point is the same, namely, that two are better than one with respect to work.
The next three illustrations all seem to be related to companionship in travels. The first of these is in verse 10, “For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.” A traveling companion will be able to help you if you fall into a pit and need to be rescued. If you’re alone and suffer a serious fall, you might never survive it without someone else to rescue you.
Then the second example of the benefits of a traveling companion is found in verse 11, “Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?” The idea here is that the two travelers in the desert or wilderness lie near to each other when they sleep in order to share body heat and keep each other warm through the bitterly cold night. In contrast, the person who is alone is pictured as trying to keep himself warm but with little success.
The third example of travel companionship is found in verse 12, “And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him…” Roads in ancient times were very hazardous. A lone traveler could easily fall prey to robbers. This was precisely what happened in the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). A certain man traveled alone from Jerusalem to Jericho and somewhere along the way, he was attacked by bandits who injured him and took everything that he possessed. In fact, he was so badly wounded that if he did not receive help in time, he would have died. Thus, it was advisable not to travel alone in those days but with a companion so that the two could provide resistance and aid to one another if they were attacked.
So three times in verses 9-12, Solomon mentions the number two. But then at the end of verse 12, he moves to the climax, where he says, “a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” If one is not good when it comes to working or traveling, and two is good, then three is much better. A cord with three strands is considerably stronger than one with only one or even two.
But notice that it’s not just the number of strands that makes the difference, but also the quality of the ties that bind them together. That is why Solomon speaks of a threefold cord rather than just three individual threads. In order for the cord to be really strong, they must be bound tightly and fittingly together.
All that Solomon said earlier about the benefits of companionship would not be true if the two persons were enemies or did not get along very well together. The assumption is that the two persons have a good and healthy relationship. So it is not only strength in numbers but also strength in the quality of the ties that bind.
This section on the advantages of companionship has implications for the Christian life. Christ has saved us as individuals but He wants us to be incorporated into His body, the church. As members of His body, we are to labour together and we are to view each other as pilgrims traveling together to our heavenly home.
“Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow…and if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”
The church is a community. It is made up of many members all forming one body. And as members, we ought to walk and labour together for the common good and cause of Christ’s kingdom.
To be continued…