20 - Bible Commentary | Karuna Sadan

Two are better than one, because they have a good [more satisfying] reward for their labor;

For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!

Again, if two lie down together, then they have warmth; but how can one be warm alone?

And though a man might prevail against him who is alone, two will withstand him. A threefold cord is not quickly broken. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)

"Two are better than one . . . " because:

they have a good return for their labor—mutual effort
one will lift up his companion—mutual support
they keep (each other) warm—mutual encouragement
they can resist an attack—mutual strength

There are some people, who for whatever reason, believe that they don’t “need” other people. What causes them to feel this way?

It could be that some point in time they really needed someone to help them, stand with them - and no one showed up. This has left them hurt and bitter to the point that now they feel that none is needed. In many ways, their insistence about not needing is an indication of just how much they need.

Solomon shares with us some great wisdom concerning our need for good friends. We need good friends to pick us up when we are down, help defend us when we are being attacked. We need good friends to give us strength when we are weak. In short – we all need good friends. Pray to the Lord to give you some good friends.

Developing a good friendship with another person is important to our well-being; but best of all is when that friendship has the Lord Jesus as its third partner. “Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.”

The above verses are usually preached in context of marriage but can be applied to friendship as well.

Chapter 4