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NASB | Luke 13:24 "Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Luke 13:24 "Strive to enter through the narrow door [force aside unbelief and the attractions of sin]; for many, I tell you, will try to enter [by their own works] and will not be able. |
Subject: y is it harder for a rich man to enter.. |
Bible Note: I have heard Mat 19:24 explained as you state. I even once accepted this as being correct, that the eye of a needle represented the "entrance in the city." However, I have since learned that it is incorrect, for the Greek word "rhaphis, pronounced; hraf-ece'" actually translates as needle. I have a dozen or more versions of scripture, including an excellent "Interlinear, Hebrew, Greek and English" version. None of them make reference to "the eye of a needle" representing "a gate entrance in the city." Can you please provide a reference for your statement? I am curious. You might say that if Jesus meant His statement literally, it would be impossible for a rich man to get into heaven. It is, if he places the trust that many of the rich place in their riches. Let me quote Matthew Henry concerning this verse. "He (Jesus) said this to his disciples, who were poor, (Remember Matthew? He had given up a prosperous position as a tax collector), and had but little in the world, to reconcile them to their condition with this, that the less they had of worldly wealth, the less hindrance they had in the way to heaven.It is very rare for a man to be rich, and not to set his heart upon his riches; and it is utterly impossible for a man that sets his heart upon his riches, to get to heaven; for if any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him, 1Jo_2:15; Jam_4:4. " Mat 19:24 is a proverbial expression, denoting a difficulty altogether unconquerable by the art and power of man; nothing less than the almighty grace of God will enable a rich man to get over this difficulty. The difficulty of the salvation of apostates (Heb_6:4), and of old sinners (Jer_13:23), is thus represented as an impossibility. If you have access to a Matthew Henry Commentary, you may be interested in reading his thoughts concerning this particular topic. God bless, and please remember 2 Timothy 2:15 GB |