Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ecclesiastes 4:7-12

Here Solomon fastens upon another instance of the vanity of this world, that frequently the more men have of it the more they would have; and on this they are so intent that they have no enjoyment of what they have. Now Solomon here shows, I. That selfishness is the cause of this evil (Eccl. 4:7, 8): There is one alone, that minds none but himself, cares for nobody, but would, if he could, be placed alone in the midst of the earth; there is not a second, nor does he desire there should be: one... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 4:9

Two are better than one ,.... The wise man takes occasion, from the solitariness Of the covetous man before described, to show in this and some following verses the preferableness and advantages of social life; which, as it holds true in things natural and civil, so in things spiritual and religious; man is a sociable creature, was made to be so; and it was the judgment of God, which is according to truth, and who can never err, that it was not good for man to be alone, Genesis 2:18 . It... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 4:10

For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow ,.... That is, if anyone of them fall, the other will lift him up, as they are travelling together, in whatsoever manner; if one falls from his horse, or out of his carriage, or into a ditch, the other will endeavour to raise him up again: this, as it is true in a natural, so in a figurative and metaphorical sense, with religious persons especially; "if one of them falls upon the bed, and lies sick,' as the Targum paraphrases it, his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 4:11

Again, if two lie together, then they have heat ,.... The Targum adds, in the winter; when it is a cold season, they warm one another by lying together. The Targum interprets it of a man and his wife; it is true of others; see 1 Kings 1:1 ; but how can one be warm alone ? not soon, nor easily, in time of cold weather. This is true in a spiritual sense of persons in a Christian communion and religious society; when they are grown cold in their love, lukewarm in their affections, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 4:12

And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him ,.... If an enemy, or a thief, or a robber, attack anyone of them, in friendship and fellowship together, and is more than a match for him; both joined together will be able to resist him; so that he shall not succeed in his enterprise, and do the mischief he designed; see 2 Samuel 10:11 ; Thus, when Satan attacks a single believer, which he chooses to do when alone; so he tempted Eve in the garden, and Christ in the wilderness; and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 4:9

Two are better than one - Married life is infinitely to be preferred to this kind of life, for the very reasons alleged below, and which require no explanation. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 4:1-16

Section 5. Koheleth proceeds to give further illustrations of man ' s inability to be the architect of his own happiness . There are many things which interrupt or destroy it. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 4:7-12

Thirdly, avarice causes isolation and a sense of insecurity, and brings no satisfaction. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 4:9

Koheleth dwells upon the evils of isolation, and contrasts with them the comfort of companionship. Two are better than one . Literally, the clause refers to the two and the one mentioned in the preceding verse; but the gnome is true in general. "Two heads are better than one," says our proverb. Because ( asher here conjunctive, not relative) they have a good reward for their labor. The joint labors of two produce much more effect than the efforts of a solitary worker. Companionship is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 4:10

Koheleth illustrates the benefit of association by certain familiar examples. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow . If one or the other fall, the companion will aid him. The idea is that two travelers are making their way over a rough road—an experience that every one must have had in Palestine. Vulgate, Si unus ceciderit . Of course, if both fell at the same time, one could not help the other. Commentators quote Homer, 'Iliad,' 10.220-226, thus rendered by Lord Derby— ... read more

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