Two is Better Than One

Ecclesiastes 4:9 - 12
9 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: 10 If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! 11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Ecclesiastes 4:9 is about spiritual fruit. Teamwork is critical in overcoming any type of sin. Ecclesiastes 4:11 refers to spiritual warmth or Christian zeal. It asks the question, "How can one keep warm alone?" The question is rhetorical, and is designed to teach that it is easy to become lukewarm toward Jesus if "alone," but together people can spur one another on toward loving Him more. We can help each other "stay warm" together.

"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" - Matthew Henry

Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.
Galatians 6:1

"If two lie together, they have heat. So virtuous and gracious affections are excited by good society, and Christians warm one another by provoking one another to love and to good works." - Matthew Henry

We have discovered that two working together can produce spiritual fruit (vs. 9), that two together can provide spiritual restoration (vs. 10), that togetherness can prompt spiritual zeal (vs. 11), and now we will see that two working together can provide spiritual protection.

"United strength. If an enemy find a man alone, he is likely to prevail against him; with his own single strength he cannot win, but, if he have a second, he may do well enough: two shall withstand him." Matthew Henry

Notice this biblical story which reinforces the truth we have been studying:

Joab saw that there were battle lines in front of him and behind him; so he selected some of the best troops in Israel and deployed them against the Arameans. 10 He put the rest of the men under the command of Abishai his brother and deployed them against the Ammonites. 11 Joab said, 'If the Arameans are too strong for me, then you are to come to my rescue; but if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will come to rescue you.' 12 Be strong and let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God. The LORD will do what is good in his sight." 2 Sam. 10:9-12

The end result of this battle was victory for the Israelites. Joab, in essence, said, "You help me with my enemy, and I'll help you with yours." And so, together, they were victorious, whereas separately they would have been conquered. This is an important aspect of an accountability relationship. We should provide one another with spiritual protection from our mutual enemy. The way we do this is to pray for each other, share "battle tips" that helped us, take each other to the Word of God, and help each other radically amputate the causes of sin. This is a winnable war. But it takes two!

"We Christians need each other. There is strength in numbers. When isolated and separated from our brothers, we are easy pickings for the Enemy of our souls." (Robert Daniels The War Within)

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 10:23-25

As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.
Proverbs 27:17

We need friends who can be accountable for us. We need to put away our pride and "man up" to our weakness and tell someone about our sins. We need fellowship and someone we can trust to help lift us up when we are down.

A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.
Ecclesiastes 4:12 (NLT)

Resource: http://www.settingcaptivesfree.com/