Jesus said the way to life is narrow, and few find it. But today’s culture — and sadly, many Bible versions — are widening the gate.
“Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” (Matthew 7:14, KJV)
Modern translations often substitute “narrow” with “hard,” “difficult,” or “small” — subtly changing the meaning from moral exactness and spiritual precision to something that simply sounds burdensome or obscure.
Why This Matters
The word “narrow” conveys limits, direction, and holiness. It implies:
- There is one way (Christ)
- There is one path (obedience)
- There are boundaries (truth, not opinion)
When we change “narrow” to “hard,” we stop pointing the sinner to repentance and start sympathizing with their resistance. The message shifts from “enter ye in” to “we understand if you don’t.”
Examples of Shifting Wording
- Matthew 7:14
- KJV: “narrow is the way”
- NIV: “small is the gate and narrow the road”
- ESV: “the gate is narrow and the way is hard”
(Subtle shift from focus on exclusivity to emotional difficulty.)
- Luke 13:24
- KJV: “Strive to enter in at the strait gate…”
- ESV/NIV: “Make every effort to enter…”
(Removes the urgency of agonizing effort that the word “strive” carries.)
A Word for the Overcomer
Overcoming is not about walking a crowded highway of compromise — it’s about enduring the narrow road with Christ at your side. The King James Bible guards the gate of truth and urges you not just to admire it — but to enter in.
Overcomer’s Checkpoint
- Why is it important to preserve the word “narrow” when describing the way of salvation?
- How does changing it to “hard” shift the message?
- What does it mean to you to walk the narrow way in today’s world?