Luke Chapter 13, Verse 24
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24: αγωνιζεσθε εισελθειν δια της στενης πυλης οτι πολλοι λεγω υμιν ζητησουσιν εισελθειν και ουκ ισχυσουσιν
24: Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto
you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
24: Strive to enter by the narrow gate: for many, I say to you, shall
seek to enter and shall not be able.
Strive. Literally, agonize. The word is taken from the
Grecian Games. In their races, and wrestlings, and various athletic
exercises, they strove or agonized, or put forth all their powers to
gain the victory. Thousands witnessed them. They were long trained for
the conflict, and the honour of victory was one of the highest honours
among the people. So Jesus says that we should strive to enter in; and
he means by it that we should be diligent, be active, be earnest; that
we should make it our first and chief business to overcome our sinful
propensities, and to endeavour to enter into heaven. This same figure
or allusion to the Grecian games is often used in the New Testament,
1Cor 9:24ff Phil 2:16; Heb 12:1.
Strait gate. See "Mt 7:13, Mt 7:14".
Dr. Thomson (The Land and the Book, vol. i. p. 32) says:
"I have seen these strait gates and narrow ways, 'with here and there a traveller.' They are in retired corners, and must be sought for, and are opened only to those who knock; and when the sun goes down and the night comes on, they are shut and locked. It is then too late."
Will seek to enter in. Many in various ways manifest some desire to be saved. They seek it, but do not agonize for it, and hence they are shut out. But a more probable meaning of this passage is that which refers this seeking to a time that shall be too late; to the time when the master has risen up, &c. In this life they neglect religion, and are engaged about other things. At death, or at the judgment, they will seek to enter in; but it will be too late -- the door will be shut; and because they did not make religion the chief business of their life, they cannot then enter in.
Shall not be able. This is not designed to affirm anything respecting the inability of the sinner, provided he seeks salvation in a proper time and manner. It means that at the time when many will seek -- when the door is shut -- they will not be able then to enter in, agreeable to Mt 7:22. In the proper time, when the day of grace was lengthened out, they might have entered in; but there will be a time when it will be too late. The day of mercy will be ended, and death will come, and the doors of heaven barred against them. How important, then, to strive to enter in while we have opportunity, and before it shall be too late!
