Definition and Context
In biblical terms, "narrowing" often refers to the concept of restriction or limitation, particularly in the context of spiritual paths and choices. The term is most prominently associated with the "narrow gate" or "narrow way" mentioned in the teachings of Jesus Christ, which symbolizes the challenging path to salvation and eternal life.

Biblical References
The concept of narrowing is primarily derived from the teachings of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew. In Matthew 7:13-14 , Jesus states, "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." This passage highlights the contrast between the easy, popular path that leads to destruction and the difficult, less-traveled path that leads to eternal life.

Theological Significance
The "narrow way" is often interpreted as the path of true discipleship and obedience to God's commandments. It requires self-denial, commitment, and perseverance. The narrow path is not merely about moral or ethical living but involves a deep, personal relationship with Jesus Christ, characterized by faith and repentance.

The narrow gate signifies the exclusivity of salvation through Christ alone. In John 14:6 , Jesus declares, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." This underscores the belief that salvation is not attainable through human efforts or alternative spiritual paths but solely through faith in Jesus Christ.

Practical Implications
For believers, the concept of narrowing serves as a call to vigilance and intentionality in their spiritual journey. It encourages Christians to examine their lives, ensuring that they are aligned with the teachings of Christ and not swayed by the temptations and distractions of the world. The narrow path requires a commitment to holiness, righteousness, and the pursuit of God's will.

Challenges and Encouragement
While the narrow path is challenging, it is also accompanied by divine assistance. Believers are assured of the Holy Spirit's guidance and strength to navigate the difficulties of the narrow way. In Philippians 4:13 , the Apostle Paul writes, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength," emphasizing the empowerment available to those who choose the narrow path.

The promise of eternal life serves as a powerful motivation for believers to persist in their journey. The narrow way, though difficult, leads to the ultimate reward of eternal communion with God, as described in Revelation 21:3-4 , where God will dwell with His people, and there will be no more death, mourning, crying, or pain.

Conclusion
The biblical concept of narrowing challenges believers to choose the path of true discipleship, marked by faith in Christ and obedience to His teachings. It serves as a reminder of the cost of following Jesus and the eternal rewards that await those who persevere on the narrow path.1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Narrow.

2. (n.) The act of contracting, or of making or becoming less in breadth or extent.

3. (n.) The part of a stocking which is narrowed.

Synopsis. --The Gradual Narrowing of the Miraculous Element in the ...
... I SYNOPSIS."The gradual narrowing of the miraculous element in the Bible by recent
discovery and discussion."The alarm thereby excited in the Church."The ...
/.../miracles and supernatural religion/i synopsis the gradual narrowing of.htm

Boehme's Universe
... of separation, differentiation, variety, specialization and particularity.[20] Darkness
appears as soon as there is a contraction or narrowing into concrete ...
/.../chapter x boehmes universe.htm

Jesus Born the Son of God.
... And where indeed was that narrowing and isolating race-prejudice keener
and stronger than just where our Lord was born? The nation ...
/.../schleiermacher/selected sermons of schleiermacher/xvi jesus born the son.htm

The Influence of the King James Version on English Literature
... of literature which we are to observe. Just for safety's sake, accept another
narrowing of the field. The effect of the Bible and ...
/.../mcafee/study of the king james bible/lecture iv the influence of.htm

Life a Tale
... yesterday; how the sunny slopes of youth have been changed for the teeming uplands
of maturity; yea, perhaps, how already the stream is narrowing, and rushing ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chapin/the crown of thorns/life a tale.htm

Synopsis. --A Clearer Conception of Miracle Approached. --Works of ...
... likely to continue."No hard and fast line between the miraculous and the
non-miraculous."Miracle a provisional word, its application narrowing in the ...
/.../miracles and supernatural religion/iv synopsis a clearer conception of.htm

The Power of Prayer in Relation to Outward Circumstances.
... of the divine favour; or if we only believe, as very many do, that our prayers throw
some additional weight into the scale; either way, what a narrowing of our ...
/.../schleiermacher/selected sermons of schleiermacher/i the power of prayer.htm

What Yokes are For
... Instead of making Christ attractive, it makes Him out a taskmaster, narrowing life
by petty restrictions, calling for self-denial where none is necessary ...
/.../the greatest thing in the world and other addresses/what yokes are for.htm

Vii
... and by broadening our outlook, which has in the past been too much confined within
the limits of the horizon bounding our own communion"a narrowing and pride ...
//christianbookshelf.org/brownlie/hymns of the holy eastern church/vii.htm

Living Martyrs.
... There are sharp-edged stones under foot. And those bushes are growing rank on both
sides narrowing the path. And thorns scratch and hurt and sting. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/living martyrs.htm

Narrowing (1 Occurrence)
... breadth or extent. 3. (n.) The part of a stocking which is narrowed.
Multi-Version Concordance Narrowing (1 Occurrence). Ezekiel 40:16 ...
/n/narrowing.htm - 7k

Narrowly (2 Occurrences)

/n/narrowly.htm - 7k

Narrower (3 Occurrences)

/n/narrower.htm - 7k

Furnace (35 Occurrences)
... (5.) Hebrews tannur, oven for baking bread (Genesis 15:17; Isaiah 31:9; Nehemiah
3:11). It was a large pot, narrowing towards the top. ...
/f/furnace.htm - 22k

Palestine (1 Occurrence)
... of all lands." Western Palestine, on the south of Gaza, is only about 40 miles in
breadth from the Mediterranean to the Dead Sea, narrowing gradually toward ...
/p/palestine.htm - 89k

Chest (15 Occurrences)
... various kinds of money gifts had the exceptional shape of a trumpet (if Sheqalim,
vi.5 may be trusted)-wide at the bottom and gradually narrowing toward the top ...
/c/chest.htm - 15k

Arabah (32 Occurrences)
... here a series of low limestone ridges (called Er Risheh) rising 150 feet above the
plain runs obliquely across it for a distance of 10 miles, narrowing it up ...
/a/arabah.htm - 33k

Sea (4178 Occurrences)
... The length of the lake from North to South is 47 miles; its greatest width is 10
miles narrowing down to less than 2 miles opposite Point Molyneux on el-Lisan. ...
/s/sea.htm - 87k

Image (126 Occurrences)
... also Gregory of Nyssa, Chrysostom, etc.). This would involve an unwarranted
narrowing of the idea. It is true that such "dominion ...
/i/image.htm - 60k

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