People love to make comparisons.
- “This one is better than that one”
- “The original movie was better than the sequel”
- “These are more expensive than others, but they’re worth it because they’re better made, and they’ll last you.”
We make comparisons every day, don’t we? It helps us discern the pros and cons, categorize, and at times, decide. One may even say that it is a crucial survival skill. The Bible also makes numerous comparisons. But when the Bible makes comparisons, it usually doesn’t compare between good and better. There are not many options. It is generally black and white – life or death, salvation or damnation, humility or pride, obedience or disobedience… so on and so forth… This is because there is a correct decision – a better way to live, act, speak, and think.
And the author of Ecclesiastes, whom we often call “Preacher-King," compared different ways of living life. Even though life was, for the Preacher, all but vanity—a breath of wind that simply disappears—there was practical wisdom for daily life in this temporary world. There was a better way to live. He made a very careful observation of how people live and concluded that, in all manner of life, two is better than one, companionship is better than solitude, unity is better than division, friendship is better than enmity, and fellowship is better than isolation.
He says this in verses 7-8: 7 Again, I saw vanity under the sun: 8 one person who has no other, either son or brother, yet there is no end to all his toil, and his eyes are never satisfied with riches, so that he never asks, “For whom am I toiling and depriving myself of pleasure?” This also is also vanity and an unhappy business.
Here, the Preacher makes a comparison by sharing the sad tale of a solitary individual – the man is not named, but he lives and works alone. If he has a wife, she is not mentioned; however, even if he does have a wife, he does not have an heir – a son or a brother to inherit the wealth he’s accumulated. As the Preacher observed the life of this lonely miser, he saw that it was vanity. It seemed there was no end to his work – day after day, night after night – he kept toiling from dawn until dark. How long was his workweek? Sixty hours? Seventy? Yet he was never satisfied...
This man had accumulated many riches... but it was not enough… and most importantly, he had no children, no family, and no friends with whom he could share the fruits of his work and labor. And it doesn’t take someone with seminary training – to recognize that the Preacher gives this miser low marks for how he lived. Quite literally, the preacher says that it is meaningless…
Church, isn’t there a better way to live? Surely, there has to be a different approach... But what does a better way look like? How can we escape the vanity of isolation and solitude that so many people pursue in this world? How should we answer the question in verse 8 – For whom are we toiling and depriving ourselves of pleasure?
The answer is: Not for myself, the believer says, but for the glory of God and the good of other people, including the people I love in the family of God, the church. We toil and deprive ourselves of pleasure for the glory of God and the good of other people... and that is the better way to live and work.
Here’s what I mean. The Preacher now begins to compare the alternative: the right way to live. He puts it very simply: two are better than one. Verse 9 states that two are better than one. According to this simple comparison, it is better to share our life, our work, our joys, our gifts, fruits, and even our pains and struggles with others than to try to do it all by yourself. The buddy system is not just for school field trips – it is God’s plan for our lives and His plan for our service to Him.
Two are better than one! Here’s How!
First, when two people work together, they accomplish more than twice as much as either one could accomplish alone! Verse 9 – “They have a good reward for their toil.” – We’ve seen many examples of this happening in the church as pastors and the leadership collegially work together towards its mission and vision... I have seen it in the kitchen when Emily and I do the dishes together.
Second, two are better than one—because verse 10—if one of them falls, the other will lift up his fellow. Two are better than one because you have someone to help you in times of need. Sometimes this happens in life, not only literally but also metaphorically—because we get knocked down by life’s trials and troubles. Family relationships get broken, financial difficulties come, health difficulties come, and often, against our own better judgment, we fall into grievous sins. If we were alone at that moment, in the darkest of hours, we might not ever get back up.
But when we are with a companion or in a community, they are there to lift us up with words of encouragement, physical support, and acts of kindness, reminding us of God’s love and mercy and helping us rise again. Two are better than one.
Third, two are better than one because, as verse 11 states, if two lie together, they keep warm, which means you find comfort. This is what the preacher is emphasizing: Imagine yourself in the wilderness of the Negev desert at night in ancient times—when temperatures could drop to 20 degrees Fahrenheit—and all you have is your cloak and a small fire. So, you huddle in front of the fire, but the wind keeps trying fiercely to blow you away, and the cold of the sand beneath you creeps up on you. You're huddled, shivering. If you are alone, you will freeze, maybe even to death. But if you have a companion, you can sit and lie beside each other (or sleep back to back) and stay warm; you have warmth and comfort. Two are better than one.
Fourth, two are better than one – because verse 12 – “And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him.” – The cold wasn’t the only challenge that travelers faced in the desert; often, these desert roads were filled with robbers and bandits who hid in wait, ready to attack unsuspecting individuals, seeking to harm and plunder. If you are alone, you will be vulnerable, but two can protect each other and stay away from harm’s way. Two are better than one!
We were never designed to live alone, do ministry, or participate in church without the support of one another. Sooner or later, we will all need someone to help us. Therefore, I encourage you not to wait until you find yourself in trouble to start seeking a companion. It may be too late by then, just as it was for the poor miser. I urge you to bring your strand of cord, open your arms to service and participation in your relationships and in the church, and share your joy, gifts, resources, love, work, and toil with others
Two are better than one – in all manner of our lives.
As we return to the Scripture, the Preacher presents a fascinating statement to conclude this section on the goodness of companionship. He notes at the end of verse 12 that “a threefold cord is not quickly broken...” – Yet, throughout the discussion, he emphasizes that two is better than one! Therefore, we might have expected that as he wraps up, he would commend the strength of a “twofold cord,” (because after all, he has been stating that two is better than one!) – but interestingly, instead, he says... “A threefold cord” is not quickly broken.
Did the preacher suddenly forget how to count? What’s going on here? No, he is touching on the law of large numbers – the more, the better! Two is amazing – but three is even better! Especially if the third friend is God himself... It is generally understood that the preacher, referencing the third cord, is referring to God himself... and that a relationship intertwined with God is a threefold cord that will not be broken…
Where two are closely joined in love and fellowship – in our families and church – God is there through the Holy Spirit – as the third cord...
o As we help one another and work in God’s name – God is there as the third cord
o As we share our gifts and talents with each other – God is there as the third cord
o As we share our joys, struggles, and pains – God is there as the third cord
o As we walk in fellowship and service to one another– God is there as the third cord
And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
So, my dear brothers and sisters in Christ, don’t try to live the Christian life alone. Instead, join together and weave our cords in fellowship, unity, and service to God. Be assured that God, as the third cord, through the Spirit will strengthen our church.
