THREE-FOLD CORD ACCORDING TO THE BIBLE
What does it mean three-fold cord does not break soon according to the Bible?
The scriptures include the importance of not being alone. In Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, the author demonstrates how it is better for people to have someone with them or friends than to be alone, since we are told that a three-fold cord does not break soon. At the end of a section listing the positive aspects of being able to count on someone, the author of Ecclesiastes uses a practical example. He wrote:
Three-fold cord, verse, biblical text (Three knots in the Bible)
“And if anyone prevails against one, two will resist him; and a three-fold cord is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:12). There is strength in friendship.
THREE-FOLD CORD DOES NOT BREAK SOON, CONTEXT AND BIBLICAL BACKGROUND
Now let’s see the concept and historical background of the three-fold cord does not break soon
Ecclesiastes is a poetic book and is classified as wisdom literature. Many Bible commentators and scholars believe that Solomon was the author of this book, but the exact identity of the author is unknown.
Throughout the 12 chapters, the author describes the vanity he sees “under the sun” and the meaninglessness of life on earth (Ecclesiastes 1:2-3).
He concludes that everything is meaningless apart from God, which is why people should remember their Maker and serve him (Ecclesiastes 12:1, 13-14).
A three-fold cord that does not break soon is better than a solitary person.
By listing the areas of worthlessness, the author comments on how insignificant it is for a person to be alone or choose not to cooperate with others.
He wrote: “I turned again, and saw vanity under the sun. He is a man alone and without successor, who has no son or brother; but he never ceases to work, nor are his eyes satisfied with his riches, nor does he ask himself: Who do I work for, and do I defraud my good soul? This too is vanity, and hard work” (Ecclesiastes 4:7-8).
All the man’s work was useless because he had no one to share his wealth with and no one to leave it to after death. He had wealth, but he was not happy because he was alone and struggling just to accumulate wealth.
TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE… THREE ARE EVEN BETTER, BECAUSE A THREE-FOLDED CORD DOESN’T BREAK QUICKLY
Two are better than one, a three-fold cord does not break easily
In contrast, the author asserted that two are better than one (Ecclesiastes 4:9). Two people receive more for their efforts, have someone to help them if they fall, can stay warm together, and have more power to resist an opponent (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12). Just as two people are together, three people are even better, like a strong rope, because a three-fold cord does not break soon.
Therefore, the Book of Ecclesiastes emphasizes the wisdom of having a friend or someone else to share or be with, because two are better than one, because a three-fold cord does not break soon. Alone, a person works for himself and finds no joy in his work, even if his work produces wealth. However, the person who has someone, be it a friend or wife, finds practical help and comfort as well as companionship. Sharing with others is a strength and a virtue.
THREE-FOLD CORD DOES NOT BREAK SOON, BECAUSE THERE IS MORE FORCE
Three-fold cord does not break soon, it makes us stronger
Based on Ecclesiastes 4:12, we know that there is strength in numbers. A three-fold cord is stronger than a single-strand or fold cord, because it does not break quickly. When people have friends who support them, they become stronger and more useful.
In practical terms, people benefit from having supportive friends or company, because a three-fold cord doesn’t break anytime soon. The author of Ecclesiastes emphasizes this by contrasting the man who is alone with the person he has no leaning on (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12).
A three-fold cord grows stronger
We can observe this in life, knowing that we get the job done faster when we cooperate with others. In addition, others can help us when we are in need, such as the person who is cold, fallen and hurt, or overcome by an enemy (Ecclesiastes 4:10-12).
Having others in our lives who we trust also benefits us spiritually. For example, when David hid from Saul in the desert, his friend Jonathan came out to meet him.
Jonathan strengthened David and reminded him of the Lord’s faithfulness (1 Samuel 23:16-18). Their friendship models the value of fellowship and how friends can help us grow in faith, because a three-fold cord does not break soon.
Insulation is unhealthy, as a three-fold cord does not break soon
Although some people think they are better off alone, the Scriptures emphasize the strength that comes with friendship, and we are urged to remember that Ecclesiastes says that a three-fold cord is not soon broken.
People who are alone, without friends or family, miss out on the practical and spiritual benefits of friendship. They also miss the opportunity to love others as God loves them (Mark 12:30-31; John 15:12). Isolation from others is spiritually and emotionally unhealthy.
GOD CREATED MAN TO LIVE IN COMMUNITY, BECAUSE A THREE-FOLD CORD DOESN’T BREAK SOON
It is not good for a man to be alone, because a three-fold cord does not break soon.
God created humans to live in community and have relationships with others. At creation, God commented that “it is not good for man to be alone” (Genesis 2:18).
Three-fold cord, our relationship with others included the ideal help
He made Eve for Adam when he saw that man had no suitable helper (Genesis 2:20-22). Although sin has negatively impacted relationships, humans still benefit from having other people in their lives; for a three-fold cord is not soon broken.
Jesus established His church as a community of believers. Together, the early Christians met regularly to be encouraged and equipped to live out their faith in everyday life.
As the Apostles and other Christians traveled throughout the world, bringing the good news, they made disciples and formed communities of believers (churches). Although local churches found strength within their own members, they also helped the collective Body of Christ.
Three-fold cord holds us together
For example, the Macedonian churches gave generously to their fellow believers in Jerusalem (Romans 15:26; 2 Corinthians 8:1-2). Although suffering and poor, they gave sacrificially from a place of love to help their fellow Christians in need (2 Corinthians 8:3-5).
When we come together as the Body of Christ, we are strengthened and encouraged to live our lives in service to Jesus. Christians are stronger together.
THREE-FOLD CORD DOES NOT BREAK SOON, THIS IS A STRENGTH AND NOT A WEAKNESS
Three-fold cord is strength, because it does not break soon
Sometimes people are tempted to withdraw from others and live in isolation. Experiencing harm from others or being influenced by a culture of individualism, someone may decide that they are better off alone than with others.
However, the Bible teaches that friendship makes us stronger like a firm and solid rope of three strands, because a three-fold cord did not break soon. When we are alone we have no one to help us, but we benefit practically and spiritually when we have trusted friends by our side. Mutual help and love overflow when we invest in relationships.
Three-fold cord, friends who can be trusted and supported is a strength
God designed us to have a relationship with Him and with others. He established his church as a community of believers, made to fellowship and equip one another for service (Ephesians 4:11-12).
Cooperation within the church enables us to be more effective witnesses for Christ. Having friends we trust is a strength, not a weakness, because a three-fold cord does not break soon.
MARRIAGE IS A THREE-FOLD CORD IT WILL NOT BE BREAKED SOON
Three-fold cord in marriage
The verse, three-fold cord does not break soon, is sometimes preached at weddings and could be interpreted as pertaining to marriage. The man who finds a wife finds a good (Proverbs 18:22). It can be said that, in a couple, the man is a cord, the woman another cord, and the third cord is God.
Any two-person relationship must include the Holy Spirit in their lives or marriage, making it a Christ-centered relationship. Marriage must be centered on Jesus Christ, because a three-fold cord is not broken soon.
CONCLUSION OF ECCLESIASTES 4:12, THREE-FOLD CORD DOES NOT QUICKLY BREAK
#1 Three-fold cord: “If anyone prevails against one”
When Cain heard that his punishment was to wander alone on the face of the earth, he cried out that it was too much to bear (Genesis 4:13). God took pity and let him go to a city. We are made to be individuals who give back to the community in service and relationship with others. Being alone is not the ideal state.
#2 Three-fold cord: “Two will resist him”
However, it has been said that whoever fears being alone should beware of community, and whoever is afraid of community should beware of being alone (Dietrich Bonhoeffer in Life Together). There is a time to be alone so that the quality of our union is greater. Once together in Christ, two are better than one.
#3 “Three-fold cord does not break soon”
This is obvious, but for the three strands to form a bead, they must be properly intertwined. Three untangled ropes are as easy to break as one. Three friends in unity are a powerful force. Two or more friends united by the Spirit and the truth is a godly combination. A marriage with Christ as the center of their lives is not easily destroyed; for a three-fold cord is not soon broken.