straightgate

Straightgate is primarily a linguistic term rather than a widely used concept in modern jargon. It is commonly understood as a variant spelling of the biblical phrase “strait gate,” most notably found in the King James Version and other older translations of the Gospel of Matthew. In that context, it describes the narrow gate through which one must enter to reach the path leading to life; in contemporary English Bible translations, the phrase is typically rendered as “narrow gate.”

Etymology and usage: The word strait, as used in biblical English, means narrow or tight, and it originates from Old English and related Germanic roots. Over time, strait gate has often been separated into two words in modern usage (straight gate, narrow gate), with “straight” meaning not curved but also historically related to the older sense of narrow. The single-word form straightgate is rare and generally viewed as nonstandard or a typographical variant.

Interpretation: In Christian theology, the strait/narrow gate is a metaphor for choosing a disciplined, difficult, yet saving path in contrast to the broad way that leads to destruction. Scholars discuss its implications for ethical conduct, repentance, and spiritual discernment. The image has been widely employed in sermons, art, and literature to symbolize restraint, commitment, and the challenges of faithful living.

See also: Strait gate, Narrow gate, Matthew 7:13–14, Sermon on the Mount, Bible translations.