"...man is a sociable creature, was made to be so; and it was the judgment of God, which is according to truth, and Who can never err, that it was not good for man to be alone..." - John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible
"Society is preferable to solitariness; conversation with a friend is better than to be always alone..." - John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible
In Genesis 2:18, the Lord God said - "...It is not good that the man should be alone..."
Why did He say this concerning the first man?
Simply because He made him to be a social creature. The Almighty revealed Himself to man in language and - as we all know - language requires a second party in order to communicate. Even in the midst of great plenty and the delights of the garden, God was conscious that man had needs that would only be gratified through relationship with one of his own kind. Hence, He made him to be social and to hold conversations with others - not only with His superior but also with his equal. He made him to be able to reciprocate his feelings with another ...to exchange knowledge and affection with those of his own kind...to inform and be informed ...and to love and be loved.
Matthew Henry offered this explanation - "If there were but one man in the world, what a melancholy man must he needs be! Perfect solitude would turn a paradise into a desert, and a palace into a dungeon. Those therefore are foolish who are selfish and would be placed alone in the earth."
King Solomon - the wisest man on the earth besides the Lord Jesus Himself - said it this way - "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 that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken" (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12).
The Scripture says that - "Two are better than one..." What Solomon had in mind was the union of marriage, friendship, or Christian fellowship. In order to prove his point, he sets forth four illustrations for us. Each illustration brings home the fact of the evils of isolation and the comfort that goes along with companionship.
1. Two workers are better than one
Ecclesiastes 4:9 says - "Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor."
John Gill in his Exposition of the Entire Bible said - "Two righteous men in a generation are better than one."
The Pulpit Commentary - Old Testament version - added - "The joint labors of two produce much more effect than the efforts of a solitary worker."
From these quotes, we gather that two sharpen each other's countenances...comfort each other's souls... establish one another in the truth...and strengthen each other's hands and hearts. They gain an advantage from their efforts being conjoined. By cooperation, they produce more efficiently.
2. Two are needed in the presence of danger or the cold
Ecclesiastes 4:9-11 says - "Two are better than one...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. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?"
Matthew Henry said in his Commentary on this passage of Scriptures - "A monastic life then was surely never intended for a state of perfection, nor should those be reckoned the greatest lovers of God who cannot find in their hearts to love any one else."
What a rebuke against self-centeredness, selfishness, greed, or covetousness!
Whether one falls physically...spiritually...or into outward distress, poverty, or want - it is far better to have a companion present who can relieve him when under necessities, poor, afflicted, or suffering or restore him when in error.
Everyone faces "wintry seasons" when things grow cold - whether it be love and affections in relationships or passion and fire in spiritual exercises and duties. Being around someone who is full of the love of Jesus or on fire for Him stirs up zeal and passion and provokes to love and good works.
3. Two are necessary in case of an attack
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 says - "Two are better than one... And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him..."
Pastor Henry made these comments - "Councils of war are necessary to the operations of war; Two eyes see more than one; and mutual advice is in order to mutual assistance."
"Mutual helpfulness is brotherly duty. If occasion be, thou shalt help me, and I will help thee. Christ's soldiers should thus strengthen one another's hands in their spiritual warfare. The strong must succour and help the weak. Those that through grace are conquerors over temptation must counsel, and comfort, and pray for, those that are tempted."
Don't you just love that comment - "...Two eyes are better than one..." ? Oftentimes, when the believer is attacked, he doesn't readily recognize that he is under attack of Satan. It takes another believer to step in and assess the situation at hand and bring perspective on the matter.
The enemy takes pleasure in attacking the Christian who is alone or weak. However, when another believer steps in, the strength of "putting ten-thousand to flight" (Deuteronomy 32:30) is added and Satan has no other recourse than to flee.
4. Two or more bring great strength
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 says - "Two are better than one... and a threefold cord is not quickly broken."
One strand in a rope can be easily broken. However, three strands twisted together add an enormous amount of strength to the rope.
"Two are better than one..."
We see this perfectly illustrated in 2 Samuel 10:9-11 where Joab and the Israelites find themselves surrounded by the enemy. In the front of the battle are the Syrians. In the back are the Ammonites.
Joab came up with a plan. He called for his brother Abishai to keep the Ammonites in check while he attacked the Syrians from the front. He explained his battle plans in this way - "And he said, If the Syrians be too strong for me, then thou shalt help me: but if the children of Ammon be too strong for thee, then I will come and help thee."
"...a threefold cord is not quickly broken."
A perfect example of this can be found in Proverbs 11:14 where it says - "Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counselors there is safety."
King Solomon in Proverbs was teaching that to be without the wise and prudent in one's life was comparable to being without Providence or a forecast. It was like trying to steer a ship without the helm. There was no "governor" - if you will.
Those who have no "counsel" or means of direction are likened unto leaves which fall from a tree. They become easy prey to the enemy. Whether they be a kingdom, commonwealth, nation, or city, they fall into ruin and destruction
On the other hand, those who have a "multitude of counselors" find "safety." What one may miss, another may hit upon. They see their need for one another and act in concert for their public good.
Matthew Henry said concerning this matter - "In our private affairs we shall often find it to our advantage to advise with many; if they agree in their advice, our way will be the more clear; if they differ, we shall hear what is to be said on all sides, and be the better able to determine."
"Two are better than one..."
Who would argue with that? God knows what is best! And He says - "...it is not good that the man should be alone..." He created man to be a sociable creature.
Our opening quote says - "A man without a companion is like a left hand without the right."
Are you trying to live your life on this earth as a "left hand without the right"?
When will you wake up to realize that you cannot make it through life alone?
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