Not Quickly Broken

In chapter 4 the Preacher looks at the pain of life under the sun. Then I returned and saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold, the tears of those who were oppressed, and they had no comforter. He notices that competition drives much work: all the labor and achievement that is the envy of a man's neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.

Verse 6 offers a balanced path: Better is a handful, with quietness, than two handfuls with labor and chasing after wind. The fool folds his hands together and ruins himself, but the restless worker never enjoys what he gains. The Preacher describes one who is alone, and he has neither son nor brother. There is no end to all of his labor, neither are his eyes satisfied with wealth. He asks, For whom then do I labor and deprive my soul of enjoyment?

Verses 9-12 celebrate companionship. Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow. If two lie together, then they have warmth. If a man prevails against one who is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. God did not make us to live alone. In the New Testament, Paul writes, Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2).