The Bible — World English Bible

Ecclesiastes 4

In brief

In Ecclesiastes 4, the Preacher keeps observing life under the sun. He first sees the tears of the oppressed, whom no one comforts, then work that is often driven by envy. He goes on to describe the man who is alone, who toils endlessly without knowing for whom. The rest of the chapter brings some light: two are better than one, because one lifts up the other. The chapter ends with the story of an old king and a young successor, to show that even popularity and power pass away.

The chapter in 5 parts

  1. v. 1-3The oppressed whom no one comforts
  2. v. 4-6Work, envy and rest
  3. v. 7-8The man alone who toils without end
  4. v. 9-12Two are better than one
  5. v. 13-16The old king, the young successor and the vanity of popularity

1Then 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; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter.

2Therefore I praised the dead who have been long dead more than the living who are yet alive.

3Yes, better than them both is him who has not yet been, who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

4Then I saw all the labor and achievement that is the envy of a man’s neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.

5The fool folds his hands together and ruins himself.

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.

13Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who doesn’t know how to receive admonition any more.

14For out of prison he came out to be king; yes, even in his kingdom he was born poor.

15I saw all the living who walk under the sun, that they were with the youth, the other, who succeeded him.

16There was no end of all the people, even of all them over whom he was—yet those who come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a chasing after wind.

Key verses

Verse 4
Then I saw all the labor and achievement that is the envy of a man’s neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.

The wise observer notices that many work because of rivalry with their neighbor. He calls it vanity: success becomes a race against others rather than a service or a joy.

Verse 6
Better is a handful, with quietness, than two handfuls with labor and chasing after wind.

Better a little with peace than a lot with exhaustion. The verse does not praise laziness, which verse 5 condemns, but a contentment that knows how to rest.

Verse 9-10
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; but woe to him who is alone when he falls, and doesn’t have another to lift him up.

The text gives the reason for life together: mutual help in work and in a fall. The one who is alone has no one to lift him up.

Verse 12
If a man prevails against one who is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

The verse opens with the strength of numbers and closes with the image of a cord of three strands. Many believers see in it the importance of God in the middle of a relationship, even though the text does not say so explicitly.

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What the sermons say

Church Small Groups: How to Create and Grow ThemVerses 9 and 10 are used to show why a small church group matters: sharing life turns a meeting into a community where people lift one another up.Read the summary →What Is Christian Fellowship?Fellowship requires closeness and truth. With Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, the article reminds us that two are better than one, and that we let ourselves be known, corrected and helped.Read the summary →Follow to Become, Before "I Do"Malka Ibangu quotes verse 12 when speaking about guidance before marriage: refusing counsel and witnesses would be a sign of pride.Read the summary →Martha and Mary: Wisdom for Your Overloaded ScheduleIn a series on wisdom in the face of worry, verse 6 is recalled: better one handful with rest than two handfuls with toil and chasing after wind.Read the summary →Open Your Hands and Receive God's JoyThis sermon surveys Ecclesiastes and cites the end of chapter 4 together with the start of chapter 5: the fear of God opens true joy, with few words.Read the summary →

Frequently asked questions about Ecclesiastes 4

What does Two are better than one mean in Ecclesiastes?

In verse 9, the Preacher explains that two people get a better reward for their work. The following verses give examples: one helps the other up after a fall, and they keep each other warm. The text applies to friendship, marriage, teams and the Church.

What is the message of Ecclesiastes 4?

The chapter says that life under the sun is marked by injustice, rivalry and loneliness. It gives no easy answer to oppression, but it offers a partial remedy: do not live alone. It also reminds us that work driven by envy or endless desire remains a chasing after wind.

What does a cord of three strands is not quickly broken mean?

In verse 12, the image shows that the more strands are woven together, the stronger the cord. The text speaks of the strength of solidarity. In Christian marriages and friendships, many see God as the third strand, a symbolic reading that the text itself does not state.

Articles quoting Ecclesiastes 4

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World English Bible translation — public domain.