Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.
When life is lived without God, life is fruitless and meaningless. Human effort, intellectual pursuits, pleasure seeking, power hungry, personal prestige, or the accumulation of wealth, is identified as being utterly vain. When the Lord is eliminated from the human heart, then the circle of life and the inevitability of death expresses nothing but hopelessness. When God is excluded, then the enemy has full sway in a life. Our God is a relational God, and He has made us to be part of a family and members of society. We see in this verse a contrast between those whose lives are motivated by the futility of envy or isolated by selfish greed and inappropriate incentives, as opposed to the comfort, help, encouragement, and reward, which is gained in trusted friendships or a reliable partner in times of need. The benefits of mutual support lies in stark contrast to a selfish, miserly person. Because they are devoid of companionship and likely to become a bitter, isolated individual who harbors a spirit of discouragement and discontent. Whereas a being in fellowship with a companion is more profitable than being alone. God uses members of Christ’s Body to compliment the gifts and graces of other brothers and sisters and to offer encouragement and support. As Christians, we are all individuals with our own God-given tasks and responsibilities. However, we are one Body that is called to live and work in partnership with one another, which is much more productive and profitable than toiling alone. Shared successes and shared sorrows not only give us greater encouragement and is rewarding, it is how we are called to live in this world by our Heavenly Father. May we work together for the advancement of the Word and to carry out the works of God.
Spiritual Steve 