As two stand together under pressure and attack, they are much stronger. (9-12) the changes of royalty. (Eccl 4:12) Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. If they pull in opposite directions that is different of course! 10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he … var prefix = 'ma' + 'il' + 'to'; Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied … Yes, you have to work at the Marriage, to keep the harmony, and make compromises, but it will pay off for whatever you put into it, you will get a good return. This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (God-Centred Marriage) GOD-CENTRED MARRIAGE (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12): “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work (the investment they put into their relationship): (1) If one falls down, his friend can help him up. 4:9-12 Surely he has more satisfaction in life, who labours hard to maintain those he loves, than the miser has in his toil. Perfect Love gives freely without strings, giving itself continually, but not demanding anything in return. Does God wants us to be rich? By their vows each promises to lay their own life down for the other, an absolute commitment to love the other person, independant of their performance. This literary device makes comparisons by using the term “better.” He first uses “better” in verse 3, then again in verse 6, and finally in verse 9 as he reaches the section's conclusion. It will be strong, stable and full of love. 4:13; 9:15[twice],16) and means "a poor man." Leave a comment to ask questions or inspir… To get a proper understanding of those verses, let’s read Ecclesiastes 4:7-12, “Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun. Two strands alone are limited, and not stable for they can easily unravel under pressure, and slide over each other with friction, but the 3rd stand fixes the other two into place and adds its strength to them, that 3 intertwined strands are bound firmly together. Better a poor and wise youth. God is Love (1John 4:8). They assist each other by encouragement, or friendly reproof. It was most likely King Solomon who penned the unusual book of Ecclesiastes. In all things union tends to success and safety, but above all, the union of Christians. (Read Ecclesiastes 4:9-12) Surely he has more satisfaction in life, who labours hard to maintain those he loves, than the miser has in his toil. If you think: âIâm giving more to this relationship than he/she isâ -then good. It guarantees the feelings stay alive and protects the relationship from a downward spiral of each withdrawing love in revenge against the other being selfish. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12. Marriage is Godâs idea: to reflect His nature.This is stated in Genesis 1:27: âGod created man in His own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.â Together man and woman make up a more complete image, as the two are joined together in unity; and if they are also both spiritually joined to God (the 3rd Strand) in faith and love, then together their Marriage forms an image of the perfect and unbreakable union of our Triune God. Workbook on Ecclesiastes Page #4 Bible Study Questions on Ecclesiastes Introduction: This workbook was designed for Bible class study, family study, or personal study. As we offer our protection, strength, support, help and loyalty to the other in their time of need, stress and pressure, so we will receive a good return when we are under fire, for they will be there for us too. It knows that the beloved is not perfect and will make mistakes. (3) Though one may be overpowered,two can defend themselves.A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.ââTwo are better than oneâ (if they are united that is!). Ecclesiastes 4:9-12. In all things union tends to success and safety, but above all, the union of Christians. 8 Always be clothed in white, and always anoint your head with oil. This email address is being protected from spambots. This is a study guide commentary which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. IT BREEDS ENVY IN OTHERS (4) 1. Ecclesiastes 4:12 provides us with an example of a peculiarity of Hebrew writing that is seen in a number of places in the Old Testament. Ecclesiastes 4:9–12 9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. But how can one keep warm alone?â (v11). Ecclesiastes 4:9 Two [are] better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.. Ver. What does it say about smoking pot in the bible? The response to their weakness is to offer your strength to fill that gap. He connects this phrase with a word that means ‘a breath’ or ‘wind’.And it also means ‘a mystery’ or ‘something that is difficult to understand’. ( Ecc 4:9-12 ) Without a friend, accomplishments are vain. To get a proper understanding of those verses, letâs read Ecclesiastes 4:7-12, âThen I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun. 10 … A Wedding Homily Ecclesiastes 4:9-11 Check out these helpful resources Biblical Commentary Sermons Children's Sermons Hymn Lists Ecclesiastes 4:9-11 Pastor Steven Molin Alec and Kathy, what a day! 9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. When one falls (in sin or discouragement), others may kick him when he is down, but his partner should restore him (lift him up) in a spirit of gentleness (Gal 6:1). 10 For if they fall, one will lift up the other; but woe to one who is alone and falls and does not have another to help. The devil doesn't go on vacation y'all... accountability is huge. Ecclesiastes 9 Commentary Explained We start our Ecclesiastes 9 commentary considering that death is inevitable. The questions contain minimal human commentary, but instead urge students to study to understand … This kind of love is as interested in what I can give as I can get. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who wait on (literally: âintertwine themselves aroundâ) the Lord will renew their strength (and love). He has loved us with an everlasting, unconditional love (Jeremiah 31:3). This is the kind of love that God has for us. For if they fall, one will lift … He saw that toil and skillful labor is envied by others 2. A weakness in the other is not for you to judge and feel superior, but is instead an opportunity to show your love in giving help. GOD-CENTRED MARRIAGE (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12):âTwo are better than one,because they have a good return for their work(the investment they put into their relationship):(1) If one falls down, his friend can help him up.But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! If a man be acute, and dexterous, and successful in his business, he gets the ill-will of his neighbours, v. 4. THE VANITY OF TOIL AND SKILLFUL WORK (4:4-6) A.  The GREATEST KEY to a successful Marriage is in the final mysterious statement:âA cord of 3 strands is not quickly broken.âThis is scientifically accurate (3 intertwined strands, no more, no less, is the strongest kind of rope). In fact, the very nature of Marriage is that two very different people are joined, so that each one gives of their strengths to fill the othersâ weaknesseses. 9:1 For all this I considered in my heart even to declare all this, that the righteous, and the wise, and their works, are in the hand of God: no man knoweth either love or hatred [ he doesn’t know which he might … This is how it should be for no-one is complete in themselves. var path = 'hr' + 'ef' + '='; The author of Ecclesiastes writes about our lives that are ‘inthis world’. Miseries from oppression. The Ministry of Presence Text: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. Who would have imagined three years ago, when you began teaching at the same school that you would one day Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 English Standard Version (ESV) 9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. Two are better than one.] 1 of 1. 10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but t woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Verses 4-6 Here Solomon returns to the observation and consideration of the vanity and vexation of spirit that attend the business of this world, which he had spoken of before, ch. “This picture of lonely, pointless busyness, equally with that of jealous rivalry in verse 4, checks any excessive claims we might wish to make for the blessings of hard work.” (Kidner) 3. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Eccl. This too is vanity and grasping for wind B. That’s the Preacher’s contention. Love does not keep a list of their faults and failures, for both bring strengths and weaknesses to the relationship. Ecclesiastes 9:12(NASB) Verse Thoughts. And then we get into Ecclesiastes 4:9-12. The basis now for how they relate is not how loving the other person is, but their Covenant Vows. This kind of Love is impossible for us in our own strength, but when it seems hard we can turn to God - the Source of all Love and by faith receive an infilling of His Love. He makes His love available to all. There are all types of ministries within the local body. May you find meaning and hope as you read through each message and seek to hear God's voice. - AFTB. While wisdom has its drawbacks (Eccl 1:18), can be nullified by a little … document.getElementById('cloak81525').innerHTML = ''; Verse 9 shows how that two working together have a greater reward. Two workers are better than one because they will produce more efficiently when they work together cooperatively. And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.â, In these verses, Solomon speaks of the vanity, or emptiness, of a miser who remains alone, yet works tirelessly and continually. This particular man has no other one to be with or care for. He doesnât have a son or a brother; yet he tends to labor diligently, acquiring great wealth with no one to spend it on but himself. It never even occurs to him to ask the question, âFor whom do I toil and deprive myself of good?â. Posted on Mar 7, 2016. TWO WAYS TO REACT TO THIS VANITY (5-6) 1. We are to give warmth to each other, giving hugs (physically and emotionally). var addy_text81525 = 'obc.church' + '@' + 'yahoo' + '.' + 'co' + '.' + 'uk'; Ecclesiastes 4:1 So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done … Try it for 30 days FREE. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Such as, ushering, teaching, helping, but the greatest ministry is to present. //-->, Sundays at 11am and 6pmCheney School HallCheney Lane - HeadingtonOxford - England - UKOX3 7QH, Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (God-Centred Marriage), The Gospel of John Commentary Chapters 1-11 (by chapter), Pictures Of Salvation (Types and Shadows). It should be a competition to outgive the other.âTwo are better than one, because they have a good return for their WORK (labour).â This is not speaking of your work to earn money, but the work you put into the relationship. Fulfilling this they are the image of God and glorify Him in their union.The kind of love needed for a lasting Marriage is a selfless, self-giving, committed, love, that puts the other first. But as one traces the life of this famous and fabulously … Learn more Start my trial Back . addy81525 = addy81525 + 'yahoo' + '.' + 'co' + '.' + 'uk'; Friendly society is far beyond that wretched "aloneness" of the covetous wretch; [Ecclesiastes 4:8] he "joins house to house and land to land, that he may live … Copyright © 2021. They love because the Covenant requires it, not because the other deserves it. This is not to say that a single man should not work hard. He should. We learn from Colossians 3:4, that in our labors, we âserve the Lord Christ.â Single or married, we should always do our best for the glory of the Lord. However, a person should not work continuously with the goal of simply gathering greater wealth for himself. Also, this portion is not condemning the single person. There are some who are intended to stay single. Their situation is just a valid as those who are in a relationship. In the typical sense, we see from our portion that, âTwo are better than one.â The advantages are obvious. (191.6). Every Sunday the worship service includes a message from the Bible. And He makes this kind of love available to us, so that we can love like Him. Whatever hardships we face, our Marriage will be a success, if we turn to God in the good and bad times, asking for His help and to fill us with His Love, and then respond to each other consistently in unconditional Love. (7,8) The advantages of mutual assistance. Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. But how can one keep warm alone? John Trapp Complete Commentary. When we move in that God-kind of Love, it never fails to turn the situation around for good.Â, 363 Banbury Road Oxford - England - UK OX2 7PL Telephone: +44 (0)1865 515086 Fax: +44 (0) 8721 107068 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. It will be a good investment.Return 1: âIf one falls down, his friend can help him up. Try it free for 30 days! 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. Learn more. Love is accepting and forgiving (knowing how much we need forgiveness helps us forgive). In bad times the other is there to help you. All you'll need is balloons! However, if they wrap themselves around each other , through their union they form something stronger than 2 individual strands, for they give strength to each other through their union. Jon & Jessica, the two of you are life-long companions of each other. 4:9-12 Surely he has more satisfaction in life, who labours hard to maintain those he loves, than the miser has in his toil. As God is 3 Persons, yet is so united in love as to be One Being, so God made the man and woman to be distinct personalities, yet through their union of love they become as one in love, loyalty and purpose. As Christians we have all the material we need to build a strong Marriage. IT IS GOD HIMSELF! It is better to have a little with quietness III. Learn more today! Verse 12 speaks of one person being helpless against an attack, while two together would be able to ward off an attack. We then read in verse 12, that âa threefold cord is not quickly broken.â A threefold cord is more than three times as strong as a single cord. Why a threefold cord and not a twofold cord? In a Godly relationship, there would be a threefold cord: the husband, the wife, and the Lord! In a God led relationship, where the Lord is called upon to lead and guard, there is a threefold cord. How vital it is for believers to make the Lord head of their relationships and head of their homes. The Lord can give us strength and blessings that we could never get on our own. Verse 11 shows the advantage of two being in a relationship. If there is a cold night, two together would produce heat, helping to keep each other warm. In fact He has revealed His inner nature as being 3 Persons (Father, Son and Spirit) intertwined together in one (as one Being), bound together in unity in perfect Love, just like a rope of 3 strands. This picture of Marriage is of two intertwined strands of rope, each with their own individuality and limitations, but they are better when joined and working together. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Two is better than one. (1-3) troubles from envy. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!â (v10). 12 And though one might prevail against … 2:11.I. Ecclesiastes 4:9 'Two are Better Than One' is part of a larger expository study on Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 which shows what Solomon meant by 'the two are better than one' and apply it to two situations: marriage and the church. 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; … 7 Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for God has already approved what you do. In all things union tends to success and safety, but above all, the union of Christians. "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. Ecclesiastes 4, Coffman Commentaries on the Bible, One of over 110 Bible commentaries freely available, this commentary, by the leading authority in the Church of Christ, presents a verse level look at the Bible. Explain for me Ecclesiastes 4:9-12. It accepts the beloved as he or she is, and is patient and kind, giving them time to change. This is a picture of the Trinity and in a godly Marriage, we comes the closest to fulfilling His call to be the image of God. As Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 teaches us, two are indeed better than one. 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