The Narrow Path and Biblical Nonconformity in Christianity
The concept of the "narrow path" in Christianity originates from Jesus's teaching in Matthew 7:14, which states, "because narrow is the gate and constricted is the road that leads to life, and there are few who find it!" [1]. This passage emphasizes the difficulty and exclusivity of the path to eternal life, contrasting it with a broader, easier way that leads to destruction [2].
The "narrow way" is understood as a challenging journey, often described as being "hedged up on each side with afflictions and tribulations" [3]. John Chrysostom, an early Church Father, likened this path to walking on a tightrope, where even a slight lapse in vigilance can lead to ruin [4]. This imagery suggests a life requiring constant discipline and sobriety, avoiding indulgence in "external things" [4]. The difficulty of this path means that "few there be that find it," in contrast to the ease and popularity of the "broad way" [2].
Biblical nonconformity is intrinsically linked to this narrow path. It involves a deliberate choice to live in a manner distinct from the prevailing norms of the world. The "way of the wicked" is described as "crooked" and "froward," swerving from divine word and characterized by "serpentine windings and turnings" [5]. Such a path is considered an "abomination unto the Lord" [8]. Christians are called to "walk in wisdom" in relation to those "without" the Church, meaning unbelievers or those outside the community of faith [6]. This distinction implies a separation from worldly practices and values.
The Church itself has been historically viewed as an "enclosure," a protected space distinct from the "without" [6]. This separation necessitates a commitment to Christ's teachings, even when it leads to persecution or difficulty [7]. The narrow path is not merely about avoiding sin, but actively pursuing a life that aligns with God's will, which often runs counter to societal expectations.
Sources
- Matthew “Matthew 7:14 (LEB) — because narrow is the gate and constricted is the road that leads to life, and there are few who find it!”
- Matthew (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Matthew 7:14: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life--In other words, the whole course is as difficult as the first step; and (so it comes to pass that). few there be that find it--The recommendation of the broad way is the ease with which it is trodden and the abundance of company to be found in it. It is sailing with a fair wind and a favorable tide. The natural inclinations are not crossed, and fears of the issue, if not easily hushed, are in the long run effectually subdued. The one disadvantage of this course is its end--i”
- Matthew (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Matthew 7:13: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way,.... And so, difficult to enter in at; and when entered, the way is unpleasant to the flesh to walk in, being hedged up on each side with afflictions and tribulations; and moreover, is like the "narrow place", or , "the strait place", as the Septuagint in Num 22:26 render it; in which the angel that met Balaam stood; and in which there was no turning to the right hand or the left; and such is the way to eternal happiness. The great encouragement to walk on in it is, because it is that way which leadeth unto life: un”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Galatians–Colossians–Thessalonians: not sleep. Let us not be luxurious, and we shall not slumber. Let us not be mad for external things, and we shall continue in sobriety. Let us discipline ourselves on every side. And as men who walk upon a tight rope cannot be off their guard ever so little, for that little causes great mischief: for the man losing his balance is at once precipitated down and perishes; so neither is it possible for us to be off our guard. We walk upon a narrow road intercepted by precipices on either side, not admitting of two feet at the same ti”
- Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Proverbs 2:15: Whose ways are crooked,.... Which swerve from and are not agreeably to the rule of the divine word, either the law of God or the Gospel of Christ; sin is an aberration, a straying from the rule of God's word, a transgression of his law; and a walk in it is unbecoming the Gospel of Christ; it has many serpentine windings and turnings in it; full of distortions and excursions, and many retrograde actions; see Psa 125:5; and they froward in their paths; declining here and there, sometimes going one way and sometimes another, but always following that which is evil, a”
- Colossians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Colossians 4:5: Walk in wisdom - Act wisely and prudently in reference to them who are without - who yet continue unbelieving Gentiles or persecuting Jews. The Church of Christ was considered an enclosure; a field, or vineyard, well hedged or walled. Those who were not members of it, were considered without; i.e. not under that especial protection and defense which the true followers of Christ had. This has been since called "The pale of the Church," from palus, a stake; or, as Dr. Johnson defines it, "A narrow piece of wood, joined above and below to a rail, to enclose grounds.”
- 2 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 2 Corinthians 11:29: Who is weak - What Church is there under persecution, with which I do not immediately sympathize? or who, from his weakness in the faith, and scrupulousness of conscience, is likely to be stumbled, or turned out of the way, to whom I do not condescend, and whose burden I do not bear? Who is offended - Or likely to be turned out of the way, and I burn not with zeal to restore and confirm him? This seems to be the sense of these different questions.”
- Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Proverbs 15:9: The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the Lord,.... The way his heart devises, which he chooses and delights in, in which he walks; nor will he leave it, nor can he be diverted from it, but by the powerful grace of God. This is a way not good, but evil, and so an abomination to the Lord; and the whole tenor and course of his life, which is meant by his way being evil: hence his sacrifices, and all his external duties of religion performed by him, are abominable to the Lord; for, while he continues in a course of sin, all his religious exercises will be of no ”