Loneliness is a near epidemic in our nation, and with that comes harm to the body and mind. God’s plan from the beginning of time was for fellowship, love, and harmony with God and each other. Learn the meaning behind and Scriptural context of Solomon's lasting phrase "two are better than one".
A hug in times of sorrow brings welcome comfort. A baby stops crying when cuddled in the arms of her mother. The presence of parents calms a child’s fear of a storm. When two people work together, a problem becomes easier to solve. Two are better than one because God created us to be family together for eternity.
This is the thought of Solomon’s writings in Ecclesiastes 4. He disparaged life with its difficulties but found joy in companionship.
Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor; if either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not easily broken (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12).
These verses emphasize the advantages of having a partner or companion to share burdens, provide support, and offer protection. The imagery of two working together and the strength of a threefold cord illustrate the concept of unity and mutual assistance. It's a reflection on the value of relationships and the strength that comes from working together with others.
“So God created people in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them” (Genesis 1:27). Two are better than one. God blessed the relationship of Adam and Eve and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number” (Genesis 1:28). Soon, there would be three.
God’s purpose was for people to be together in love, family, friendship, and union with God. God chose us to be with Him before we were created.
Paul gives us the inside information: “He chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. “In love He predestined. us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, by His pleasure and will” (Ephesians 1:4,5).
God demonstrated “togetherness” when He walked and talked with Adam and Eve in paradise. God enjoyed Enoch so much that He took him to heaven without dying (Genesis 5:22-24).
Moses and the Israelites experienced God’s care through the wilderness by being with them, “My Presence will go with you” (Exodus 33:14-17).
In the New Testament, the pattern continues. Jesus chose 12 men as close companions and promised they would be with him forever into eternity.
The death and resurrection of Jesus provided this for the disciples who walked with Jesus and for all who would become God’s family by loving God with their hearts, souls, minds, and strength (Matthew 12:30).
Stepping out of heaven to bring frail, lost people into Kingdom life, Jesus reflected God’s desire to be with His people. God desires that “all would come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).
The disciples knew the relationship with Jesus on earth was the beginning of an eternal relationship promised by Jesus, “that you also may be where I am” (John 14:2-3).
Fellowship between the apostles and God was part of a fruitful life. “So that you too may have fellowship with us, and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ” (1 John 1:3).
God’s plan from the beginning was the social network of people needing one another. When Jesus sent out the disciples to proclaim the gospel, he sent them out in pairs (Mark 6:7) because two are better than one.
Life on earth is to reflect the unity, love, and fellowship of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The entire purpose of God in sending Jesus was to bring people into God’s family in the eternal Kingdom.
Following His resurrection and before ascending back to heaven, Jesus promised, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).
The same was true of the Father. “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them (John 14:23).
Included in that home is the promised Holy Spirit, who will “help you and be with you forever” (John 14:16).
The crowning culmination of God’s desire to be with His people will become a reality in heaven forever. “He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them” (Revelation 21:3-4).
God’s desire for fellowship with His creation was given as a gift when God designed and ordained the foundational relationship of togetherness. “It is not good for man to be alone” (Genesis 2:18).
Two are better than one is the theme of our human body. We have two hands, two feet, two eyes, two ears, two lungs, and more — these “twos” work as designed. Missing one impairs the body, just as trying to live alone harms emotional and physical health.
Jesus emphasized the importance of two: “what God has joined together, let no one separate” (Matthew 19:6). In Genesis, Adam proclaimed she is “bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh,” the picture of marriage.
Paul writes to the Ephesian church that we are to reflect God’s example, “Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Ephesians 5:1).
God’s agape love is illustrated as a beautiful analogy of Christ and His bride, the Church. As man and woman become one flesh through marriage, so Jesus and his bride are “members of His body” through salvation (Ephesians 5:30-32).
The three in one, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, share complete unity. Jesus prayed that this unity would be in the disciples and for all who were yet to become believers (John 17:22-23).
God’s design from the beginning was to dwell with His creation. But when sin separated us from God’s presence, Jesus took our sin penalty to give us right standing with God and make it possible for us, God’s children, to dwell together forever.
Solomon concluded in verse 12, “A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” Three strands unwound may be easy to break. But when wound together, the strand becomes much more difficult to tear apart. Two are better than one, and three are better as God becomes the third strand.
In one of my favorite chapters, Psalm 139, God’s presence is always with us, forming each person in the womb, knowing our thoughts, and never leaving us alone (v.1-18). The promise of heaven continues the theme that we are made to be together for eternity.
We all know the treasure of family. We also see the glory of friendship. God’s gift of a relationship is not severed by distance or death. Helen Keller said, “True friends are never apart, maybe in the distance, but never in heart.”
Family and friends are precious, the best parts of life on earth. God, who is rich in mercy and grace and loves us with everlasting love, longs to be in fellowship with each of us. Eternal life is the promise of His love, where we will be together with God, family, and friends for eternity.
From the beginning, God’s plan was for people to be in fellowship with Him and each other. God’s people will live in heaven with their loved ones. While at work, at home, at a sporting event, or together at church, we can agree wholeheartedly with Solomon that two are better than one.
For further reading:
What it Does and Does Not Mean That Woman Was Made as a ‘Suitable Helper’
What Should We Do When We Are Feeling Alone?
Why Is it Pleasant When God’s People Live Together in Unity?
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