ARTICLE: The Narrow Gate | Joy Paul, USA

The concept of the narrow gate and the wide gate is widely preached in the Christian faith. In Matthew 7:13–14, Jesus teaches,
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”
The narrow gate is generally accepted and embraced as the only sure passage that leads to the promised eternity for a Christian believer. This divine truth is exemplified throughout the Bible with numerous stories and examples from Genesis to Revelation.
In the following section, I reflect on the story of an outcast woman who came to understand this very concept and willingly chose the narrow gate—fully aware of the consequences. Her actions were rooted in her determination to stand firm in the divine conviction she received through her newfound faith.
This story is beautifully depicted in the book of Ruth. Ruth and Orpah, both Moabite women, had seemingly enjoyed a stable and noble life after marrying into Naomi’s family. However, tragedy struck when Naomi lost her husband and both her sons, leaving the three women widowed. Despite the immense grief, there appeared to be a strong and loving bond between Naomi and her daughters-in-law.
Eventually, Naomi decided to return to her homeland, and in her wisdom and kindness, she advised both Ruth and Orpah to return to their own families and gods, encouraging them to rebuild their lives. Orpah, after some hesitation, chose to take Naomi’s advice and departed. However, Ruth made a radical and courageous decision.
In Ruth 1:16–17, we read her resolute words:
“Do not urge me to leave you or to turn back from following you. For where you go, I will go, and where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people, and your God my God. Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.”
It is remarkable to see a young woman, in such a difficult and uncertain time, choosing loyalty, faith, and sacrifice over the easier, more secure path. This was not merely an emotional attachment to Naomi, but rather the fruit of divine principles she had likely learned in Naomi’s household over the years. Ruth’s commitment was not only to her mother-in-law but to the covenantal responsibilities of marriage and faith.
Paul echoes this principle in Ephesians 5:31,
“For this reason, a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”
This profound mystery reminds us that marriage creates a new union where both families are to be honoured. In Ephesians 6:1–4, Paul further exhorts,
“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother’—which is the first commandment with a promise— ‘so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.’”
While many couples uphold this principle when life is smooth, the real test comes during trials. Sadly, many abandon these divine truths when difficulties arise. Ruth, however, honoured these biblical principles even in great adversity and remained faithful to the covenant.
Her unwavering faith and devotion did not go unnoticed. Though a Moabite—a people excluded from the assembly of the Lord—Ruth found favour in God’s eyes. She was praised as being better than seven sons to Naomi. She married Boaz, had her family restored in a foreign land, and was honoured with the immense privilege of becoming part of the lineage of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:5).
In contrast, Orpah chose the easy and culturally acceptable path. According to some traditions, her descendants included Goliath, the giant who opposed Israel.Ruth clearly chose the narrow path—and she was richly rewarded by God. Each of us may encounter different “narrow gates” in our lives. The nature of the gate may vary, but what matters is our willingness to submit to God’s calling and pass through with determination and faith. It is on the other side of the narrow gate that true blessings await.

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