Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 4:9-16

Practical Maxims deduced from this View of the Business life.(b) A noble philosophy this, and pregnant with practical counsels of great value. For if, as we close our study of this Section of the Book, we ask, "What good advice does the Preacher offer that we can take and act upon?" we shall find that he gives us at least three serviceable maxims.A Maxim on Cooperation. Ecclesiastes 4:9-16To all men of business conscious of their special dangers and anxious to avoid them, he says, first:... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Ecclesiastes 4:1-16

CHAPTER 4 Observations of Different Wrongs 1. Concerning oppressions (Ecclesiastes 4:1-3 ) 2. Concerning envy of fools and the rich (Ecclesiastes 4:4-7 ) 3. Concerning the miser (Ecclesiastes 4:8-12 ) 4. Concerning popularity (Ecclesiastes 4:13-16 ) Ecclesiastes 4:1-3 . He observes that the world is filled with oppressions. This connects with the statement made in the previous chapter, (verse 16). Criticism declares in connection with this passage that it could not have been written by... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Ecclesiastes 4:9

4:9 {f} Two [are] better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.(f) As when man is alone, he can neither help himself nor others, he shows that men should live in mutual society to the intent that they may be profitable one to another, and that their things may increase. read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Ecclesiastes 4:12

4:12 And if one prevaileth against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold {g} cord is not quickly broken.(g) By this proverb he declares how necessary it is, that men should live in society. read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 4:1-16

MAN’S TIMES (Ecclesiastes 3:1-11 ) These are orderly and seasonable, but bring no permanent profit, because man is still ignorant of God’s purpose in them all. He does not know how to fit his work into God’s work. The conclusion is in Ecclesiastes 3:12-15 . GOD’S TIME (Ecclesiastes 3:16-22 ) There is a suggestion in verse 17 that this is long. It will be a time, too, of judgment and manifestation (Ecclesiastes 3:17-18 ). Yet, and perhaps because of this, man’s death is not different from... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Ecclesiastes 4:1-16

A Wise Lesson Ecclesiastes 4:0 Cohleleth appears in this, as in other verses, as a sympathetic man. There is the making of a true philosopher in him, in so far as he observes widely and clearly, though he does not always seem to draw the right conclusion from what he sees. It is very beautiful and instructive to notice how broad are his sympathies and how deep is his interest in human life. We seem to determine for ourselves the size of the world in which we live: if we dwell upon our own... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. (10) For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. (11) Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? (12) And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. If we spiritualize these verses, they will be beautiful and instructive. For if Jesus and... read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 4:9

Therefore is not in Hebrew, &c. The miser had better have some society. It is advantageous; though to refrain from its comforts, out of piety, is not blamed. The solitary must be "an angel or a devil." (Calmet) --- Society. Besides the advantages of friendship, this implies that a person must have Jesus Christ with him, that he may rise from sin and death by his assistance. (St. Jerome) (Worthington) read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 4:10

Fall into sickness, poverty, or sin. The saints have withdrawn people from the dangers of the world into monasteries, where they may fight together against the devil. read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 4:12

Cord. True charity increaseth in strength as it does in number, (St. Jerome; Worthington) though friendship may not admit of more than two persons. (Haydock) --- Some explain this triple cord of the blessed Trinity, or of the three monastic vows [poverty, chastity, and obedience], the theological virtues [faith, hope, and charity], or the parts of penance, &c. read more

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