Ecclesiastes 4:11

11 Also if two lie together, {they can keep each other warm}. But how can one person be warm?

Ecclesiastes 4:11 Meaning and Commentary

Ecclesiastes 4:11

Again, if two lie together, then they have heat
The Targum adds, in the winter; when it is a cold season, they warm one another by lying together. The Targum interprets it of a man and his wife; it is true of others; see ( 1 Kings 1:1 1 Kings 1:2 ) ; but how can one be warm [alone]?
not soon, nor easily, in time of cold weather. This is true in a spiritual sense of persons in a Christian communion and religious society; when they are grown cold in their love, lukewarm in their affections, and backward and indifferent to spiritual exercises, yet by Christian conversation may be stirred up to love and good works: so two cold flints struck against each other, fire comes out of them; and even two cold Christians, when they come to talk with each other about spiritual things, and feel one another's spirits, they presently glow in their affections to each other, and to divine things; and especially if Christ joins them with his presence, as he did the two disciples going to Emmaus, then their hearts burn within them.

Ecclesiastes 4:11 In-Context

9 Two [are] better than the one, for they enjoy a better reward for their toil.
10 For if one falls, his companion may help him up. But pity the one who falls and there is {no one} to help him up.
11 Also if two lie together, {they can keep each other warm}. But how can one person be warm?
12 {Although an assailant may overpower one person, two may withstand him}. A threefold cord {is not easily broken}!
13 A poor but wise youth [is] better than an old but foolish king who no longer knows {how to receive advice}.

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Literally "and it will be warm for them"
Scripture quotations marked (LEB) are from the Lexham English Bible. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software.