Living in community makes us strong in the face of adversity, and even more so if this community lives adoring and loving God. Ecclesiastes 4:12 is a precious verse that makes us better understand this statement and in this article we are going to show it to you.
Ecclesiastes 4:12 verse
“And if a man prevail against one, two shall withstand him; and a cord of three folds is not quickly broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:12)
The union between people, whether in marriage, family, friendship or simply living together at work and in the community, has always brought good things that make us move forward and survive.
It is not difficult to see, and many current studies confirm it, that human beings are social and needs other people to survive. Thus, the most natural thing for us is to create bonds that strengthen us and help us to move forward.
At Ecclesiastes 4:12 of the Bible, we see one more thing: there are unions that are much stronger than others, and these are the ones that live under God’s watchful eye.
Ecclesiastes 4:12 with meaning and reflection
To conclude this article, below is a video of prayer and reflection on Ecclesiastes 4:12.
What makes this video special is that it relates what we have learned today to the Gospels and the teachings of Jesus Christ This is something very important that will help you to complete your knowledge about unity and teamwork.
The explanation for the verse Ecclesiastes 4:12 would be half-hearted if we only focused on it, so it is natural to include the verses that precede it, since together they take on a complete meaning.
In verse 9, Solomon introduces us to the theme that will be discussed next: the unity among people benefits those who promote it. In this first verse it can be understood that the benefit is only in terms of material work, but as you will see later, this is not so.
What you must understand in this verse is that when two people participate in something and organize themselves properly, the benefit is not only doubled but multiplied by much more.
In the following verse we find more the non-material value of community life, and that is, love between human beings can be indispensable in many situations.
On how many occasions have our loved ones helped us get back on our feet when everything was falling apart? In many as we do to them. Our lives would be much worse in solitude, and that is why as good Christians we must integrate everyone into the community and help those who live on the margins of society.
In verse 11, we find once again the idea that union is strength with a beautiful image of tenderness. We are destined to live with people in order to survive and we must value our company, as it makes us who we are.
Finally, we come to Ecclesiastes 4:12, which culminates this reflection on the union between people. At this point, a third element is added in interpersonal relationships: the Lord.
In the verse we find the metaphor of a rope made by two threads, representing two people, which is difficult to break. Now, if to this string we add the thread of God, sand becomes indestructible.
With this, Solomon wants to tell us to seek the Lord in our friends, our relatives and our fellow citizens. Together, under the love of God, we are able to create a much better world where everyone knows the Word of God and is happy with it.
Now you know everything that contextualizes Ecclesiastes 4:12, and you also know the content of the text itself.
Even so, from your Bible Online we want to show you other versions of the same verse that appear in different translations of the Bible, because with this you will be able to detect different nuances of meaning quite important.
Ecclesiastes 4 complete and in large print
Have you been able to relax and feel close to God? Now you will be able to read the chapter of Ecclesiastes 4 in current language from the Current Language Translation of the Bible. Although the texts of this version of the Bible are not so faithful to the originals, in this case it will help you to understand the verse of this article much better.
1 I looked the other way, and this is what I saw in this world: there are many mistreated people, and those who mistreat them are the ones in power. People cry, but no one consoles them.
2 Then I said, “How happy are those who have died, and how pitiful are those who are still living!”
3 Although, in reality, those who have not been born are happier, for they have not yet seen the evil that is in this world.
4 I also saw that everyone works and seeks to progress just to have more than the others. But this doesn’t make sense either, because it’s like wanting to catch the wind.
5 It is true that “the fool does not want to work and therefore ends up starving”;
6 but “an hour’s rest is better than two hours’ work,” because too much work is useless.
Unity is strength
7 I looked away, and I saw that in this life there is something else that does not make sense.
8 I am referring to the solitary man, who has no children or siblings: he spends all his time working, and is never satisfied; he always wants to have more. Such a man never thinks about whether it is worthwhile to work so hard and never enjoy life. There is no point in trying so hard!
9 In truth, “two are better than one,” because they get more out of what they do.
10 In addition, if one of them stumbles, the other can pick him up. But woe to those who fall and have no one to help them up!
11 And also, if two lie down together, they get warm; but one alone dies of cold.
12 A single person can be defeated, but two can already defend themselves; and if three join forces, it is no longer easy to defeat them.
Youth and wisdom
13 If I have to choose, I prefer the poor but wise young man to the old but foolish king who does not let anyone advise him.
14-16 Because that old king dies and a younger one comes, and even if the new king was born in poverty, or has been in prison, the people support him at first. However, in time there will be many who will not be happy with it either. And this makes no sense; it’s like wanting to catch the wind!
Ecclesiastes 4:12 ntv (New Living Translation)
“Someone who is alone can be attacked and beaten, but if there are two of them, they stand back to back and win; better still if there are three of them, because a triple rope is not easily cut.”
Ecclesiastes 4:12 nvi (New International Version)
“One can only be defeated,
but two can resist.
The three-strand rope
does not break easily!”
Ecclesiastes 4:12 tla (Current Language Translation)
“A single person can be defeated, but two can already defend themselves; and if three join forces, it is no longer easy to defeat them.”
Context of Ecclesiastes 4:12
Ecclesiastes 4:12 belongs to the fourth chapter of the Book of Ecclesiastes. This volume is found in the Old Testament of the Bible, after the Book of Proverbs and is part of the books called “sapiential”, such as Proverbs itself and also the Psalms.
This set of biblical books is intended to give moral and behavioral teachings to the faithful so that they can lead a spiritually healthy life and stay away from evil. to stay away from evil and the vices and the vices of the human being that are so present in the world.
Specifically, Ecclesiastes is intended as a guide to guide for life focusing especially on the transience of material things and the true happiness that comes through the Word of God.
Chapter 4, which you have read today, is about how ephemeral is success in human lives and all the bad things that come with it if it is not managed properly. True success lies in living a life close to the Lord and without great material fortunes.
Regarding the authorship of the text, there is no clear consensus on who wrote the Book of Ecclesiastes, although it has traditionally been attributed to King Solomon son of King David and writer of the Psalms. Even so, there is no alternative to this author, so this hypothesis is possibly the most accurate.
You should know that Solomon is also credited with the Book of Proverbs, a fact that gives more weight to Solomon authorship of this book against the rest of the possible authors.
We conclude this Your Bible Online article on Ecclesiastes 4:12, community life and teamwork. We hope you have learned a lot about human relationships and that you can apply it in your daily life.
God bless you and see you next time!