Meaning, commentary and cross references
Ecclesiastes 4:9
“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil.”In other translations
KJV · King James Version
Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
NIV · New International Version
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor:
WEB · World English Bible
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.
What does Ecclesiastes 4:9 mean?
John Gill · Exposition of the Entire Bible, on 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 is best to take a wife, or at least to have a friend or companion, more or less to converse with. Society is preferable to solitariness; conversation with a friend is better than to be always alone; the…
John Gill, Exposition of the Entire Bible (1746–63). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Matthew Henry · Commentary on the Whole Bible, on Ecclesiastes 4:7–12
Solomon lays this down for a truth, That two are better than one, and more happy jointly than either of them could be separately, more pleased in one another than they could be in themselves only, mutually serviceable to each other's welfare, and by a united strength more likely to do good to others: They have a good reward of their labour; whatever service they do, it is returned to them another way. He that serves himself only has himself only for his paymaster, and commonly proves more unjust and ungrateful to himself than his friend, if he should serve him, would be to him; witness him that labours endlessly and yet bereaves his soul of good; he has no reward of his labour. But he that…
Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Context: Ecclesiastes 4:6–12 (WEB)
6Better is a handful, with quietness, than two handfuls with labor and chasing after wind. 7Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun. 8There is 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. “For whom then do I labor and deprive my soul of enjoyment?” This also is vanity. Yes, it is a miserable business. 9Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. 10For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him who is alone when he falls, and doesn’t have another to lift him up. 11Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth; but how can one keep warm alone? 12If a man prevails against one who is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Cross references
- Proverbs 27:17
Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens his friend’s countenance.
- Genesis 2:18
The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make him a helper comparable to him.”
- 1 Corinthians 12:18–21
But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body, just as he desired.
- Mark 6:7
He called to himself the twelve, and began to send them out two by two; and he gave them authority over the unclean spirits.
- Numbers 11:14
I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me.
- John 4:36
He who reaps receives wages and gathers fruit to eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together.
- Ruth 2:12
May the LORD repay your work, and a full reward be given to you from the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.”
- Acts 13:2
As they served the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Separate Barnabas and Saul for me, for the work to which I have called them.”