Two are Better than One (Ecc 4:9-12)

TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE (ECC 4:9-12):

After expressing that the strivings are useless when there is no purpose and direction, the author expresses the need for union with the other. The author of Ecclesiastes writes that two are better than one because they have a good reward for the toil. It could be the friends or the fellow workers or even the life partner as it is applicable in all the cases. When there are two people they could do more than a single person doing something alone. They could be physical, mental, and emotional support to one another at the times needed and thereby they could have a good reward in return for their toil.

Even at times of difficulties if there are two people one could be a support and encouragement to another. And the author writes that if one falls another will lift up his fellow. The author reflects about the person who is all alone and says woe to the person who is alone, as when he falls there isn’t another to lift him up. Also, the author continues to say that if the two of them lie together there would be warmness because of the exhaustion of heat from the body and it will help one another to keep themselves warm. But there could not be a much bigger option for a single person to keep himself warm. Also if the two persons are husband and wife, the physical intimacy could keep both of them to be warm and embrace one another.

The man who is alone could not stand against the dangers that are on his way by his enemies. But the person who is with another one could gain strength and confidence because of the presence of another. The person who is alone could not prevail against a man who might bring the spoil, but the two will withstand him. There is an old saying that a threefold cord is not quickly broken. When there is a single thread it could be easily broken. But when the single thread is three-fold, it is not very easily be broken. Likewise, when there is unity between one another there would be a great strength that helps us in sustaining.

Stimulations for Self-Reflection:

1.    Which is better? Why?

2.    If one falls, what will the other person do? How?

3.    What does the author say about one who falls alone? Why?

4.    What happens when two lies together? How?

5.    What is the status of one who lies alone?

6.    How two persons will withstand against a man who might prevail?

7.    What does the author say about the threefold cord?

8.    Why the threefold cold is not quickly broken?

9.    How one can help another to have a good reward for the toil?

10. How one can lift up his fellow being?

11. What are the things that are needed to prevail against by being together? How?