notes

Main point summary

Being a friend to another is better than being alone. What is more, the more your friends, the better.

Diagram of Eccl. 4:9-12

OT

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

esv

mine

Two are better than one,

*Two* people have an advantage that *one* person alone doesn't have

because they have a good reward for their toil.

because each one can benefit from the other's work.

ground

For if they fall,

[1] If either of the *two* falls down

one will lift up his fellow.

[then] *one* can help the other up.

conditional

But woe to him who is alone when he falls

but how unfortunate it is for *one* person who falls down

and has not another to lift him up!

because there is not a *second* person who is there to give help.

negativepositive

Again, if two lie together,

[2] In the same way, if *two* people lie down together ,

they keep warm,

[then] they keep each other warm,

i but how can one keep warm alone?

but *one* person will find it hard to keep warm all by himself.

comparison

And though a man might prevail against one who is alone,

[3] *One* person can usually be defeated by a single opponent,

two will withstand him—

[but] *two* persons together can withstand him.

series

ideaexplanation

a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

[Two being better than one, here's more:] A ** three ** -strand rope cannot be broken easily.

progression

discourse

Notes

Immediate Context: Ecclesiastes 4:7-8 Again I saw something meaningless under the sun: There was a man all alone; he had neither son nor brother. There was no end to his toil, yet his eyes were not content with his wealth. “For whom am I toiling,” he asked, “and why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?” This too is meaningless— a miserable business! The Benefits of Having a Friend (A Simple Outline) 1. You have a restorer ( Eccl. 4:10 ). 2. You have a protector (Eccl. 4:11). 3. You have a co-defender (Eccl. 4:12). Climax : If it is true that having a friend is far better than being alone, how much better it is to have a multitude of friends! (Eccl. 4:12) I am a Rock (A Loner’s Meaningless Life, taken from a song by Paul Simon) I've built walls, A fortress steep and mighty, That none may penetrate. I have no need of friendship; friendship causes pain. It's laughter and it's loving I disdain. I am a rock, I am an island. I have my books And my poetry to protect me; I am shielded in my armor, Hiding in my room, safe within my womb. I touch no one and no one touches me. I am a rock, I am an island. And a rock feels no pain; And an island never cries.