Can’t get near God. As soon as our eyes were opened and we saw this rope swinging, as it were, in front of us, God gave us strength to leap to it, and He did the rest; nay, He did that, for we had not believed unless the Spirit had prompted faith. He is the third strand of the cord. Ecclesiastes 4:12. it is done, and that they can never be spliced again, nor ever cast about us as they were originally. Study the bible online using commentary on Ecclesiastes 4 and more! And a threefold cord is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4, Coffman Commentaries on the Bible, One of over 110 Bible commentaries freely available, this commentary, by the leading authority in the Church of Christ, presents a … Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament "And if one shall violently assail him who is alone, two shall withstand him; and (finally) a threefold cord is not quickly broken asunder." If we as church members and fellow-Christians are thus one in heart, we shall be irresistible. (Haydock) --- Some explain this triple cord of the blessed Trinity, or of the three monastic vows [poverty, chastity, and obedience], the theological virtues [faith, hope, and charity], or the parts of penance, &c. "And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. Ecclesiastes 4:12 Parallel Verses [⇓ See commentary ⇓] Ecclesiastes 4:12, NIV: "Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." And you--two. A cord of three strands is not quickly... - Verse-by-Verse Commentary If an enemy, or a thief, or a robber, attack anyone of them, in friendship and fellowship together, and is more than a match for him; both joined together will be able to resist him; so that he shall not succeed in his enterprise, and do the mischief he designed; see 2 Samuel 10:11; Thus, when Satan attacks a single believer, which he chooses to do when alone; so he tempted Eve in the garden, and Christ in the wilderness; and one or more fellow Christians know of it, they are capable of helping their tempted friend, by their advice and counsel, they not being ignorant of Satan's devices; and by striving together in their prayers to God for him: so when false teachers make their efforts, as they usually do, Satan like, upon the weaker sex, and, when alone, they too often succeed; but when saints stand fast in one spirit, and strive together for the faith of the Gospel, they stand their ground, withstand the enemy, and maintain truth; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken; or "in haste"F3במהרה "in festinatia", Montanus; "in celeritate", Vatablus; "in festinatione", Rambachius. … Ecclesiastes Commentary; JOHN SCHULTZ. But the Syriac and Septuagint, favour the English version. Untwist the cord and the separate threads are easily "broken.". David Guzik commentary on Ecclesiastes 2, where life is looked at in view of death, which is certain and cruel, and how to live "under the sun". Explain how some people have no more. It was by such cords as these--cords that are not quickly broken, threefold cords, that we were delivered from the power of sin. The following Scripture tells us something of the strength of more than one. There is God--one. I p. 13). 12. Ecclesiastes 4:12 - And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. Christ’s love, Christ’s death, resurrection and ascension into heaven--these are as another threefold cord. It is by such cords as these, threefold cords, cords that are not quickly broken, that we are now held captive. Satan knows the power of unity if we do not. These cords bind us to the horns of the altar. Ecclesiastes 4:12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.. Ver. Compare Numbers 6:24-26. [Philippians 1:27]. Funiculus triplex difficile rumpitur is one of the winged expressions used by Koheleth. This discourse on friendship reminds one of the manly and tender attachment of David and Jonathan. Hebrew. How have we got up? Ordered, during a storm, to go up and put the rigging right. Saint Jerome wrote a commentary on Ecclesiastes. 11 Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? Chapter 4. תקף always means "to prevail against, to overpower," never "to attack;" compare the adjective תקיף "powerful" in Ecclesiastes 6:10. To report dead links, typos, or html errors or suggestions about making these resources more useful use the convenient, International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him, and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. [Matthew 16:18] Unity hath victory, but division breeds dissolution, as it did once in this island when Caesar first entered it. The image of a "threefold cord,"—in making a firm, strong cord, three threads were usually used,—is the more appropriate here, as the number two in general only represents plurality. “The world, the flesh, and the devil,” a terrible trio, were in league against us. I. Let us hold more closely together than ever--pastors, officers, people, for “a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” “A threefold cord is not quickly broken.” Do we not know this from sad experience? Is that all? 4. This particular verse seems to be about mostly exactly what it is says at face value. For example, doctors of the Church have cited Ecclesiastes. "Him, the one," is as much as to say, him, in his isolation, or because of his isolation. The Hebrew title is Koheleth, which the speaker in it applies to himself Ecclesiastes 1:12, "I, Koheleth, was king over Israel." Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (God-Centred Marriage) GOD-CENTRED MARRIAGE (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12): “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work (the investment they put into their relationship): (1) If one falls down, his friend can help him up. They were threefold cords, and they were not easily broken. My mother gave it to me when leaving home. threefold cord — proverbial for a combination of many - for example, husband, wife, and children (Proverbs 11:14); so Christians (Luke 10:1; Colossians 2:2, Colossians 2:19). To a strong marriage, children born of that relationship only add increased strength to the family (Psalm "Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one"s youth"). A common Saviour claims our common love. 12.And if one prevail — “One” is here the object of the verb, and it should read, “If an assailant prevail against one man, two can resist him.” A threefold cord is a lively emblem of a close alliance. - AFTB. There is sin, the missing of the mark, the going beyond by the arrow, or the falling short of the target. And if this is true of the united love and affections of saints, it must be much more so of the love of Father, Son, and Spirit; that threefold cord, with which the saints are drawn and held; and of which it may be said, that it not only is not quickly broken, but that it cannot be broken at all; and therefore those who are held by it are in the utmost safety. To get a proper understanding of those verses, let’s read Ecclesiastes 4:7-12, … I wish you had it. It was the cords of this triple enemy that held us fast. Ecclesiastes 4:12. Being thus hardly used, men are tempted to hate and despise life. Sin is of various shapes and sorts. ), it may be understood of a violent assault, as well as of a completed subjugation; as נשׂא means to lift up and carry; עמד, to tread and to stand. And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. Let us see. Read Ecclesiastes 4 commentary using Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible. There is nothing wrong with that, but it is showing the principle that unity is better than singularity, and as people who are likewise unified with those who were there before, the institution, the family, or whatever, keeps getting stronger and stronger. Dempster.). Wherever we turn, we see melancholy proofs of the wickedness and misery of mankind, who try to create trouble to themselves and to each other. My Bible, sir. And if one prevaileth against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold. [1 Samuel 26:6] Christ, when to begin his passion in the garden, took Peter, James, and John with him, for the benefit of their prayers and company, though they served him but sorrily. In the Mishnic and Arab. And why should תקף, if it can mean overpowering, not also mean doing violence to by means of a sudden attack? Story of youth at sea. But if you weave these three together into a cord, and hold on by it, you are safe. (T. 3. A threefold cord is not quickly broken; if a man have not only one, but two or more friends, he is so much the safer and the happier. I thought if I were drowned, I would like to have it with me.” Now here was a nice threefold cord--Prayer, the Bible, and Courage. Bible > Ecclesiastes > Ecclesiastes 4 > Ecclesiastes 4:9 Clarke's Ecclesiastes 4:9 Bible Commentary Two are better than one - Married life is infinitely to be preferred to this kind of life, for the very reasons alleged below, and which require no explanation. Posted on Mar 7, 2016. Bring in Christ, and you have the threefold cord. Then this cord will stand the strain. Untwist the cord, and the separate threads are easily "broken.". III. One = the enemy. If one prevail against him. There is also transgression, breaking through God’s settled rules, passing beyond the bounds that He has fixed, making landmarks of our own instead of regarding God’s. If two hold together, that is seen to be good; but if there be three, this threefold bond is likened to a cord formed of three threads, which cannot easily be broken. For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing; they have no further reward, and even their name is forgotten. I do not know how many threads were in them, how many strands they contained. Have a threefold cord in your religion. Some apply this to the three principal graces, faith, hope, and love, which are abiding ones; and, though they may sometimes be weak and low in their acts and exercise, can never be lost. Ecclesiastes 4:12. “A threefold cord is not quickly broken.” It took years of straining, and tugging, and pulling by a hand Omnipotent to break these cords in pieces. . Ecclesiastes 4:12 Context. Ecclesiastes 4:12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. This doctrine is taught in the fable of the bundle of sticks the old man gave to his sons to break; which, while fastened together, could not be done; but, when art bound, and took out singly, were easily snapped asunder; teaching them thereby unity among themselves, as their greatest security against their common enemy. Ecclesiastes 4:11. or not, in any case האחד is not the assailant, who is much rather the unnamed subj. Ecclesiastes 5. A threefold cord - proverbial for a combination of many, e.g., husband, wife, and children (Proverbs 11:14); so Christians (Colossians 2:2; Colossians 2:19). There are three words in God’s Book descriptive of sin, and I think I may apply them to the threefold cord. Ecclesiastes 4:12. Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament. INTRODUCTION. ... ( Ecclesiastes 4:12) of social ties suggests the subject of civil government. All I do know is that they were not quickly broken. ; as two are better than one, so three or more united together, it is the better still; they are able to make head against an enemy; and to conquer him, "vis unita fortior est": if a family, community, city, or kingdom, are divided against themselves, they cannot stand; but, if united, in all probability nothing can hurt them. God bade Gideon to go down to the camp of the Midianites, and if he feared to go, then to take with him his servant Phurah. Ecclesiastes 4:12: Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. He, in the person of His Son, came to the pit’s mouth and looked down with the eyes of love upon us. Can’t know Him. The Word of a King “Where the word of a king is, there is power.” — Ecclesiastes viii. (c) "in festinatia", Montanus; "in celeritate", Vatablus; "in festinatione", Rambachius. They were therefore almost irresistible; they held together by a union caused by a living principle that suffused and inspired them all, therefore when the enemy came upon them it was like the sea breaking on the unmovable strand. True charity increaseth in strength as it does in number, (St. Jerome; Worthington) though friendship may not admit of more than two persons. Ver. prevail against = overpower. It took God’s dear Son to break them, the Father’s love, and the Spirit’s power, and our own faith and repentance, begotten in our hearts from above. If you’ve ever read the book of Ecclesiastes you’re probably aware of the contents of this last chapter. And if this is true of the united love and affections of saints, it must be much more so of the love of Father, Son, and Spirit; that threefold cord, with which the saints are drawn and held; and of which it may be said, that it not only is not quickly broken, but that it cannot be broken at all; and therefore those who are held by it are in the utmost safety. "My dove is but one." The Tyndale commentary notes on Ecclesiastes 5:20 Ecclesiastes 5:20 For he shall not much remember the days of his life; because God answers him in the joy of his heart. He drew us with the cords of love, and with the bands of a man. Show content in: English Both Hebrew. and a threefold cord is not quickly broken; or "in haste" (c); as two are better than one, so three or more united together, it is the better still; they are able to make head against an enemy; and to conquer him, "vis unita fortior est": if a family, community, city, or kingdom, are divided against themselves, they cannot stand; but, if united, in all probability nothing can hurt them. threefold cord—proverbial for a combination of many—for example, husband, wife, and children (Pr 11:14); so Christians (Lu 10:1; Col 2:2, 19). takaph, supposed to belong to later Hebrew, but it is found in Job 14:20 with Job 15:24 (the only three occurrences). Toggle navigation. Ecclesiastes 12 Meaning Commentary Summary. 10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Who would have imagined three years ago, when you began teaching at … It is traditionally attributed to King Solomon, an authorship questioned by most biblical scholars, and is read during the week of Sukkot.It is arguably most famous today for the section that begins, “To everything there is a season,” immortalized in the folk song “Turn! If one genuine friend is of greater value than riches, how much more two genuine friends? If we take תקף in the sense of to overpower, then the meaning is: If one can overpower him who is alone, then, on the contrary, two can maintain their ground against him (Herzf. [Psalms 122:3] The Church is "terrible as an army with banners"; [Song of Solomon 6:4] "the gates of hell cannot prevail against her." He intimates that three are better than two. Kohelet - Ecclesiastes - Chapter 4 ... Rashi 's Commentary: Show Hide. That is a strong religion. The author must not be considered as arguing from the point of view of mere prudence. III. To this day travellers in the East are too much exposed to marauders to allow of journeying singly. In any relationship, God should be the third partner (Malachi 2:14). DISCUSSION QUESTIONS. If there be anybody who wants you to go roads where Jesus can’t go with you, give up that company at once. Instead of the definite specific art. A Wedding Homily Ecclesiastes 4:9-11 Check out these helpful resources Biblical Commentary Sermons Children's Sermons Hymn Lists Ecclesiastes 4:9-11 Pastor Steven Molin Alec and Kathy, what a day! There is iniquity, that which is out of plumb, or off the line, or out of the level. (g) By this proverb he declares how necessary it is, that men should live in society. Micah 6:8. So, in these chapters we get a … Of three who hold together, 12 a says nothing; the advance from two to three is thus made in the manner of a numerical proverb ( vid ., Proverbs, vol. 12:9,12. Ecclesiastes 3 Ecclesiastes 5 ... An integrated digital Bible study library - including complete notes from the Believer's Bible Commentary and the Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible (NIV and NRSV) - is just a step away! This discourse on friendship reminds one of the manly and tender attachment of David and Jonathan. The Turks pray daily that the differences among us Christians may be heightened, for that will soonest undo us, and one of their emperors, when his council dissuaded him from a war against the Germans, because of their multitude, said that he feared them not, because sooner would his fingers be all of one length than their princes all of one mind. The subject alluded to here is the enemy which must be supplied from the tone and circumstances of what is said, (Ewald § 294 b.) “And now abideth faith, hope, love, these three, but the greatest of these is love.” I think this is another threefold cord by which we are bound; bound to one another, bound to the cross of Christ, bound to this blessed book, and bound to heaven. הח הם, we make use of the indefinite. Untwist the cord, and the separate threads are easily “broken.”. ); but the two אם, Ecclesiastes 4:10, Ecclesiastes 4:11, which are equivalent to ἐάν, exclude such a pure logical εἰ . KJV, Journal the Word Bible, Large Print, Red Letter Edition: Reflect, Journal, or Create Art Next to Your Favorite Verses. The form of the metaphor changes a little as we use it now. Should live in society might prevail against him, & c. ] Vis unita fortior:... Be the third partner ( Malachi 2:14 ) as we use it now City of God, likely will,. 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