EGW → Biblical Foundation
Select an Ellen White book from the sidebar to see each passage mapped to the Bible verses it amplifies, cites, or echoes.
Scripture Index
Ellen White & Bible Cross-Reference
1 Corinthians 16:2
"Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come."
"The apostle suggests the first day of the week as a proper time to review the course of Providence and the prosperity experienced, and in the fear of God, with true gratitude of heart for the blessings He has bestowed, to decide how much, according to His own devised plan, shall be rendered back to Him. 3T 413.2"
The EGW passage directly references and interprets 1 Corinthians 16:2, applying it to a system of proportionate giving based on prosperity. The connection is clear and intentional.
"Page 190, Systematic Benevolence—In the early days of the message, men impelled by the urge of conviction went forth to preach the new-found truths. They were dependent for their support upon their own labors or the freewill offerings of the believers. Such an uncertain method was more or less spasmodic and fluctuating. Early in 1859 the need for a more certain plan was felt, and earnest study was given to the matter. There grew out of this study the plan called Systematic Benevolence. In harmony with 1 Corinthians 16:2 giving regularly on the first day of the week was recommended, and, as suggested by 2 Corinthians 8:12-14 , an equitable distribution of financial responsibility. The plan called for brethren to lay by in store weekly from five to twenty-five cents; the sisters, from two to ten cents; and for property owners to give weekly from one to five cents on each hundred dollars worth of assets. 1T 714.4"
Ellen White directly references 1 Corinthians 16:2 in this passage.
"The duty to help in the advancement of truth does not rest only upon the wealthy. All have a part to act. The man who has employed his time and strength to accumulate property is accountable for the disposition he makes of that property. If one has health and strength, that is his capital, and he must make a right use of it. If he spends hours in idleness and needless visiting and talking, he is slothful in business, which God's word forbids. Such have a work to do to provide for their own families, and then lay by them in store for charitable purposes as God has prospered them. 1T 324.3"
EGW's statement about laying by in store as God has prospered them directly reflects the principle outlined in 1 Corinthians 16:2.
"All should be taught to do what they can for the Master; to render to Him according as He has prospered them. He claims as His just due a tenth of their income, be it large or small; and those who withhold this, commit robbery toward Him, and cannot expect His prospering hand to be with them. Even if the church is composed mostly of poor brethren, the subject of systematic benevolence should be thoroughly explained, and the plan heartily adopted. God is able to fulfil His promises. His resources are infinite, and He employs them all in accomplishing His will. And when He sees a faithful performance of duty in the payment of the tithe, He often, in His wise providence, opens ways whereby it shall increase. He who follows God's arrangement in the little that has been given him, will receive the same returns as he who bestows of his abundance. GW 222.2"
Both passages discuss giving according to how God has prospered individuals. While 1 Corinthians 16:2 focuses on weekly giving, the underlying principle of proportionate giving is the same.
1 Corinthians 16:9
"For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries."
"Paul saw that “a great door and effectual” was opening before him, although there were “many adversaries.” 1 Corinthians 16:9 . Ephesus was not only the most magnificent, but the most corrupt, of the cities of Asia. Superstition and sensual pleasure held sway over her teeming population. Under the shadow of her temples, criminals of every grade found shelter, and the most degrading vices flourished. AA 286.1"
The EGW passage directly quotes 1 Corinthians 16:9 and uses it as a springboard to describe the situation in Ephesus.
Chapter 31—The Message Heeded This chapter is based on the Second Epistle to the Corinthians . From Ephesus Paul set forth on another missionary tour, during which he hoped to visit once more the scenes of his former labors in Europe. Tarrying for a time at Troas, “to preach Christ's gospel,” he found some who were ready to listen to his message. “A door was opened unto me of the Lord,” he afterward declared of his labors in this place. But successful as were his efforts at Troas, he could not remain there long. “The care of all the churches,” and particularly of the church at Corinth, rested heavily on his heart. He had hoped to meet Titus at Troas and to learn from him how the words of counsel and reproof sent to the Corinthian brethren had been received, but in this he was disappointed. “I had no rest in my spirit,” he wrote concerning this experience, “because I found not Titus my brother.” He therefore left Troas and crossed over to Macedonia, where, at Philippi he met Timothy. AA…
EGW directly quotes and applies 1 Corinthians 16:9 to Paul's experience in Troas.
1 Corinthians 16:13
"Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong."
"They should be taught that this world is not a parade ground, but a battlefield. All are called to endure hardness, as good soldiers. They are to be strong and quit themselves like men. Let them be taught that the true test of character is found in the willingness to bear burdens, to take the hard place, to do the work that needs to be done, though it bring no earthly recognition or reward. Ed 295.2"
The EGW passage uses the phrase "quit yourselves like men, be strong," which is a direct quote from 1 Corinthians 16:13. This constitutes a clear and intentional allusion to the biblical text.
"By aggressive warfare, in the midst of opposition, peril, loss, and human suffering, the work of soulsaving is to be carried forward. At a certain battle, when one of the regiments of the attacking force was being beaten back by the hordes of the enemy, the ensign in front stood his ground as the troops retreated. The captain shouted to him to bring back the colors, but the reply of the ensign was: “Bring the men up to the colors!” This is the work that devolves upon every faithful standard-bearer—to bring the men up to the colors. The Lord calls for wholeheartedness. We all know that the sin of many professing Christians is that they lack the courage and energy to bring themselves and those connected with them up to the standard. 9T 45.5"
The EGW passage uses the analogy of a battle and a standard-bearer to encourage steadfastness and courage in the face of opposition. This aligns thematically with 1 Corinthians 16:13, which calls for vigilance, firmness in faith, and strength.
Your only safety is in studying yourself, your weakness and failings. Do not cease to guard yourself. Watch yourself more closely when at home. Watch yourself when away from home. You neglect your closet duties, lay off your armor, and give up to a spirit of recklessness that drives angels from you and from your family. Do not neglect to search your own heart at home. Lavish not all your affections upon your family. Preserve your heart's best affections to devote to Jesus, who has redeemed you by His blood. When at home, be fitting up all the time for your Master's business when you shall be away from home. If you do this, you will have on the armor every moment. Your soul's highest desire will be to glorify God, to do His will upon earth, and you will have sweet confidence and trust in Him. You will not feel so restless, but will have a constant theme for meditation, devotion, and holiness. I was referred to 1 Corinthians 9:27 : “But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection:…
Both passages encourage watchfulness and steadfastness in faith. The EGW passage urges guarding oneself and avoiding recklessness, while 1 Corinthians 16:13 calls for vigilance, standing firm in faith, and being strong. The connection lies in the shared theme of spiritual fortitude.
Men who ought to be as true in every emergency as the needle to the pole, have become inefficient by their efforts to shield themselves from censure and by evading responsibilities for fear of failure. Men of giant intellect are babes in discipline because they are cowardly in regard to taking and bearing the burdens they should. They are neglecting to become efficient. They have too long trusted one man to plan for them and to do the thinking which they are highly capable of doing themselves in the interest of the cause of God. Mental deficiencies meet us at every point. Men who are content to let others plan and do their thinking for them are not fully developed. If they were left to plan for themselves they would be found judicious, close-calculating men. But when brought into connection with God's cause, it is entirely another thing to them; they lose this faculty almost altogether. They are content to remain as incompetent and inefficient as though others must do the planning and …
Both passages encourage strength, courage, and taking responsibility. EGW criticizes men who avoid responsibility, while 1 Corinthians urges believers to "quit you like men, be strong."
"Independent men of earnest endeavor are needed, not men as impressible as putty. Those who want their work made ready to their hand, who desire a fixed amount to do and a fixed salary, and who wish to prove an exact fit without the trouble of adaptation or training, are not the men whom God calls to work in His cause. A man who cannot adapt his abilities to almost any place if necessity requires is not the man for this time. Men whom God will connect with His work are not limp and fiberless, without muscle or moral force of character. It is only by continued and persevering labor that men can be disciplined to bear a part in the work of God. These men should not become discouraged if circumstances and surroundings are the most unfavorable. They should not give up their purpose as a complete failure until they are convinced beyond a doubt that they cannot do much for the honor of God and the good of souls. 3T 496.1"
Both passages emphasize the need for strength, steadfastness, and courage. EGW speaks against being "impressible as putty" and needing everything made easy, while 1 Corinthians urges believers to "quit you like men, be strong." Both passages promote the idea of being resilient and adaptable.
"interest in our institutions, and who will stand for the right, unaffected by any influence with which they may come in contact?” LS 248.1"
Both passages contain the phrase 'stand fast' or 'stand' in the context of faith and strength. The EGW passage calls for people to 'stand for the right,' while the Corinthians verse urges believers to 'stand fast in the faith.'
"Men of stamina are wanted, men who will not wait to have their way smoothed and every obstacle removed; men who will inspire with fresh zeal the flagging efforts of dispirited workers; men whose hearts are warm with Christian love, and whose hands are strong to do their Master's work. GW 290.2"
Both passages emphasize the need for strength and courage in the Christian life. 1 Corinthians 16:13 urges believers to 'quit you like men, be strong,' while the EGW passage calls for 'men of stamina' who will inspire others and do their Master's work.
“We are to stand firm as a rock to the principles of the word of God, remembering that God is with us to give us strength to meet each new experience. Let us ever maintain in our lives the principles of righteousness, that we may go forward from strength to strength in the name of the Lord. We are to hold as very sacred the faith that has been substantiated by the instruction and approval of the Spirit of God from our earliest experience until the present time. We are to cherish as very precious the work that the Lord has been carrying forward through His commandment-keeping people, and which, through the power of His grace, will grow stronger and more efficient as time advances. The enemy is seeking to becloud the discernment of God's people, and to weaken their efficiency; but if they will labor as the Spirit of God shall direct, He will open doors of opportunity before them for the work of building up the old waste places. Their experience will be one of constant growth, until the L…
The EGW passage encourages standing firm on principles and going from strength to strength, which aligns with the call to 'stand fast in the faith' and 'be strong' in 1 Corinthians 16:13. The thematic parallel is clear and meaningful.
"“You will need to make straight paths for your feet, lest the lame be turned out of the way. We are surrounded by the lame and halting in the faith, and you are to help them, not by halting yourselves, but by standing, like men who have been tried and proven, in principle firm as a rock. I know that a work must be done for the people, or many will not be prepared to receive the light of the angel sent down from heaven to lighten the whole earth with His glory. Do not think that you will be found as vessels unto honor in the time of the latter rain, to receive the glory of God, if you are lifting up your souls unto vanity, speaking perverse things, in secret cherishing roots of bitterness. The frown of God will certainly be upon every soul who cherishes these roots of dissension, and possesses a spirit so unlike the Spirit of Christ. LS 327.2"
Both passages encourage steadfastness and strength in faith. The EGW passage emphasizes standing firm in principle, while 1 Corinthians 16:13 urges believers to watch, stand fast, be strong, and act like men. The connection lies in the shared theme of unwavering commitment to faith.
God wants men connected with His work in Battle Creek whose judgment is at hand, whose minds, when it is necessary, will act like the lightnings. The greatest promptness is positively necessary in the hour of peril and danger. Every plan may be well laid to accomplish certain results, and yet a delay of a very short time may leave things to assume an entirely different shape, and the great objects which might have been gained are lost through lack of quick foresight and prompt dispatch. Much may be done in training the mind to overcome indolence. There are times when caution and great deliberation are necessary; rashness would be folly. But even here, much has been lost by too great hesitancy. Caution, up to a certain point, is required; but hesitancy and policy on particular occasions have been more disastrous than would have been a failure through rashness. 3T 498.1 My brother, you need to cultivate promptness. Away with your hesitating manner. You are slow and neglect to seize the w…
The EGW passage discusses the need for promptness, strength, and vigilance in the work, which aligns with the call to watchfulness, steadfastness, and strength in 1 Corinthians 16:13. The connection is thematic rather than a direct allusion.
1 Corinthians 16:22
"If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maran-atha."
"Robert then spoke in his meek way, yet in so clear and touching a manner that some wept and were much moved; but others coughed dissentingly and seemed quite uneasy. After leaving the class room, we again talked over our faith, and marveled that our Christian brethren and sisters could so ill endure to have a word spoken in reference to our Saviour's coming. We thought if they loved Jesus as they should, it would not be so great an annoyance to hear of His second advent, but, on the contrary, they would hail the news with joy. 1T 37.2"
The EGW passage describes people's negative reaction to the discussion of Christ's second coming, suggesting a lack of love for Jesus. This aligns with the sentiment of 1 Corinthians 16:22, which pronounces a curse on those who do not love the Lord Jesus Christ. The connection is thematic, focusing on the importance of love for Jesus.