One of the most famous verses in Ecclesiastes is chapter 4, verse 12: “A threefold cord is not quickly broken.”
The writer has been talking about the value of the relationships in our lives. In verse 10 he said that two are better than one. Although this idea can certainly be applied to romantic relationships, he’s speaking more broadly about relationships in general.
If two are good, three must surely be better, right?
Throughout history, some people have seen something further happening in this verse, something more overtly divine. They argue that the third part of that “threefold cord” is God.
You + another person + God = a powerful connection.
A famous biblical commentator named Matthew Henry took this view. When thinking about this verse he recalled the story of the Emmaus road. After Jesus’ resurrection, two people were walking along the road and talking about all the things that had happened in Jerusalem. That’s when the resurrected Christ came into their midst and started explaining things. Shortly afterward, their eyes were open.*
That’s like the threefold cord. You + another person + God = a powerful connection.
Do you have friends? Do you have co-workers? Do you have a spouse? Do you have a girlfriend or boyfriend? Do you have children? Do you have parents?
Make space for God. Ask him to be present in the relationship. Honour him.
A threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Notes:
-*Matthew Henry and Thomas Scott, Commentary on the Holy Bible, Vol. 3 (Grand Rapids: Baker, 160 rpt.), 413.
-The Up Devotional is published 5 days a week (Monday-Friday) and returns on October 19, 2026.
-Bible quotes, ESV.
Leave a Reply