Feb 24, 2020
READING TIME: 1 MINUTE
Luke 13:24 – If It’s Free, Why Would Anybody Need to Strive to Enter the Narrow Gate?
Luke 13:24: “Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able” (NASB).
The Greek word agonizomai has a basic meaning of “to fight, struggle” (BAGD, p. 15). The struggle involved here concerns finding the right gate to enter. The Lord’s point is that those who don’t know the way to eternal life should exert every effort to find out. I agree with Tom Constable that “striving referred to believing Jesus despite the intrinsic difficulty of believing and the opposition of others (cf. John 10:9).” We enter salvation on God’s terms, not man’s terms.
Hebrews 11:6 says that God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Also, see John 6:27-29. Those who do not know the way to heaven are to strive to find out. They are to seek the truth.
Romans 3:9-12 seems to contradict this understanding. It says that none seek God, no not one. The actual point of the verse is that none seek God on their initiative. Clearly, other texts say that unbelievers can and do diligently seek God and those who seek Him will find Him (Acts 17:27; Hebrews 11:6). Since God is seeking all (John 16:8-11; Rom 1:19-20), all are free to respond to His drawing and to seek Him in return. For more information about Romans 3:9-12, see pp. 25-26 and 119 in my Ask Pastor David e-blasts document.
Sources Used
Black, Mark C. Luke. Joplin, MO: College Press Pub., 1995. College Press NIV Commentary.
Bock, Darrell L. Luke: 9:51–24:53. Vol. 2. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 1996. Print. Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament.
________. Luke. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1994. Print. The IVP New Testament Commentary Series.
Butler, Trent C. Luke. Vol. 3. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000. Holman New Testament Commentary.
Constable, Dr. Thomas L. “Notes on Luke.” 2020 Edition.
ESV Study Bible. Crossway Bibles.
MacArthur, John. NKJV, The MacArthur Study Bible, eBook: Revised and Updated Edition. Thomas Nelson.
The Moody Bible Commentary. Moody Publishers.
Nelson, Thomas. The NKJV Study Bible, eBook: Second Edition. Thomas Nelson.
NIV, Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible, eBook: Bringing to Life the Ancient World of Scripture. Zondervan.
The NIV Zondervan Study Bible, eBook: Built on the Truth of Scripture and Centered on the Gospel Message. Zondervan.
The Ryrie Study Bible. Moody.
Stein, Robert H. Luke. Vol. 24. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1992. Print. The New American Commentary.
Wilkin, Robert. “If It’s Free, Why Would Anyone Need to Strive to Enter?
https://faithalone.org/magazine/y1991/91nov3.html.