Ecclesiastes 4:11

11 Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one keep warm alone?

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 one, because they have a good return for their labor.

10 For if one falls down, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to help him up!

11 Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one keep warm alone?

12 And though one may be overpowered, two can resist. Moreover, a cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

13 Better is a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer knows how to take a warning.