But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it.
The narrow gate is hardly wide enough to admit one at all; it expresses the difficulty of that first right step in religion, which requires triumph over all our natural inclinations. The wide gate and broad way lure many because they are easily entered and easily trodden.
AI summary
Commenting on Matthew 7:13-29
The whole course is as difficult as the first step. The broad way is easy, sailed with fair wind and favorable tide, but it leads to destruction. The narrow way demands a revolution in all your purposes and a surrender of what natural inclination holds dear; no wonder few find it.
AI summary
Because strait [is] the gate, and narrow [is] the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. (c) The way is straight and narrow: we must pass through this rough way and suffer, endure, be changed and so enter into life.