Matthew Henry Commentary Matthew 7:12-14

"All things therefore whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, even so do ye also unto them: for this is the law and the prophets. Enter ye in by the narrow gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many are they that enter in thereby. For narrow is the gate, and straitened the way, that leadeth unto life, and few are they that find it." — Matthew 7:12-14 (ASV)

Christ came to teach us, not only what we are to know and believe, but also what we are to do; not only toward God, but toward people; not only toward those of our own group and persuasion, but toward people in general, all with whom we interact. We must do to our neighbor what we ourselves acknowledge to be fit and reasonable. In our dealings with others, we must imagine ourselves in the same situation and circumstances as those with whom we are dealing, and act accordingly.

There are only two ways: right and wrong, good and evil; the way to heaven and the way to hell. Everyone is walking in one or the other of these: there is no middle place in the afterlife, no middle way now. All people are either saints or sinners, godly or ungodly. Consider the way of sin and sinners: the gate is wide and stands open.

You may go in at this gate with all your lusts about you; it places no restraint on your appetites or passions. It is a broad way; there are many paths in it; there is a choice of sinful ways. There is a large company on this way. But what profit is there in being willing to go to hell with others, simply because they will not go to heaven with us?

The way to eternal life is narrow. We are not in heaven as soon as we get through the strait gate. Self must be denied, the body kept under, and corruptions mortified. Daily temptations must be resisted; duties must be performed. We must watch in all things, walk with care, and we must go through much tribulation.

And yet this way should invite us all, for it leads to life: to present comfort in the favor of God, which is the life of the soul, and to eternal bliss, the hope of which at the end of our way should make all the difficulties of the road easy for us.

This plain declaration of Christ has been disregarded by many who have taken pains to explain it away. But in all ages, the real disciple of Christ has been regarded as a unique, unfashionable character; and all who have sided with the majority have continued on the broad road to destruction.

If we wish to serve God, we must be firm in our religion. Can we often hear of the strait gate and the narrow way, and how few there are that find it, without feeling concern for ourselves, or considering whether we have entered the narrow way and what progress we are making in it?