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
2 Thessalonians 3:3
"But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil."
"“Stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. Now our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.” “The Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil. And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you. And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.” AA 267.1"
The EGW passage directly quotes 2 Thessalonians 3:3.
2 Thessalonians 3:5
"And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ."
"“Stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. Now our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.” “The Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil. And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you. And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.” AA 267.1"
The EGW passage directly quotes 2 Thessalonians 3:5.
2 Thessalonians 3:8
"Neither did we eat any man’s bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:"
"It is at Thessalonica that we first read of Paul's working with his hands in self-supporting labor while preaching the word. Writing to the church of believers there, he reminded them that he “might have been burdensome” to them, and added: “Ye remember, brethren, our labor and travail: for laboring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.” 1 Thessalonians 2:6, 9 . And again, in his second epistle to them, he declared that he and his fellow laborer while with them had not eaten “any man's bread for nought.” Night and day we worked, he wrote, “that we might not be chargeable to any of you: not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.” 2 Thessalonians 3:8, 9 . AA 347.2"
EGW directly quotes 2 Thessalonians 3:8 and 1 Thessalonians 2:6, 9.
"It is at Thessalonica that we first read of Paul's working with his hands in self-supporting labor while preaching the word. Writing to the church of believers there, he reminded them that he “might have been burdensome” to them, and added” “Ye remember, brethren, our labor and travail: for laboring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.” [ 1 Thessalonians 2:6, 9 .] And again, in his second epistle to them, he declared that he and his fellow-laborers while with them had not eaten “any man's bread for naught.” Night and day we worked, he wrote, “that we might not be chargeable to any of you: not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.” [ 2 Thessalonians 3:8, 9 .] ... GW 234.2"
EGW directly quotes 2 Thessalonians 3:8.
Men who are chosen of God to labor in this cause will give proof of their high calling and will consider it their highest duty to grow and improve until they shall become able workmen. Then, as they manifest an earnestness to improve upon the talent which God has entrusted to them, they should be helped judiciously. But the encouragement given them should not savor of flattery, for Satan himself will do enough of that kind of work. Men who think that they have a duty to preach should not be sustained in throwing themselves and their families at once upon the brethren for support. They are not entitled to this until they can show good fruits of their labor. There is now danger of injuring young preachers, and those who have but little experience, by flattery, and by relieving them of burdens in life. When not preaching they should be doing what they can for their own support. This is the best way to test the nature of their call to preach. If they desire to preach only that they may be …
Ellen White directly references 2 Thessalonians 3:8 in this passage.
"Paul was not wholly dependent upon the labor of his hands for support while at Thessalonica. Referring later to his experiences in that city, he wrote to the Philippian believers in acknowledgment of the gifts he had received from them while there, saying, “Even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.” Philippians 4:16 . Notwithstanding the fact that he received this help he was careful to set before the Thessalonians an example of diligence, so that none could rightfully accuse him of covetousness, and also that those who held fanatical views regarding manual labor might be given a practical rebuke. AA 348.2"
EGW directly quotes Philippians 4:16 and uses it to support her point about Paul's ministry in Thessalonica. She also references the broader context of Paul's work ethic, which is related to 2 Thessalonians 3:8.
2 Thessalonians 3:10
"For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat."
"At Thessalonica Paul had met those who refused to work with their hands. It was of this class that he afterward wrote: “There are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.” While laboring in Thessalonica, Paul had been careful to set before such ones a right example. “Even when we were with you,” he wrote, “this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.” Verses 11, 12, 10 . AA 347.3"
EGW directly quotes 2 Thessalonians 3:10.
But the teaching of this parable should not be misapplied. God's forgiveness toward us lessens in no wise our duty to obey Him. So the spirit of forgiveness toward our fellow men does not lessen the claim of just obligation. In the prayer which Christ taught His disciples He said, “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” Matthew 6:12 . By this He did not mean that in order to be forgiven our sins we must not require our just dues from our debtors. If they cannot pay, even though this may be the result of unwise management, they are not to be cast into prison, oppressed, or even treated harshly; but the parable does not teach us to encourage indolence. The word of God declares that if a man will not work, neither shall he eat. ( 2 Thessalonians 3:10 .) The Lord does not require the hard-working man to support others in idleness. With many there is a waste of time, a lack of effort, which brings to poverty and want. If these faults are not corrected by those who indulge them, a…
Ellen White directly references 2 Thessalonians 3:10 in this passage.
"We may give to the poor, and harm them, by teaching them to be dependent. Such giving encourages selfishness and helplessness. Often it leads to idleness, extravagance, and intemperance. No man who can earn his own livelihood has a right to depend on others. The proverb “The world owes me a living” has in it the essence of falsehood, fraud, and robbery. The world owes no man a living who is able to work and gain a living for himself. MH 195.1"
The EGW passage directly echoes the principle stated in 2 Thessalonians 3:10: those who can work should not be supported without working. The connection is clear and strong.
I would here call special attention to the view of this subject given on page 57 . Here is a short extract: “The object of the words of our Saviour [in Luke 12:33 ] has not been clearly presented.” I saw that “the object of selling is not to give to those who are able to labor and support themselves, but to spread the truth. It is a sin to support and indulge in idleness those who are able to labor. Some have been zealous to attend all the meetings, not to glorify God, but for the ‘loaves and fishes.’ Such would much better have been at home laboring with their hands, ‘the thing that is good,’ to supply the wants of their families, and to have something to give to sustain the precious cause.” It has been Satan's design in times past to push out some with a hurried spirit to make a too free use of means, and influence the brethren to rashly dispose of their property, that through an abundance of means thrown out carelessly and hastily, souls might be injured and lost, and that now, when…
The EGW passage directly applies the principle of not supporting idleness, as stated in 2 Thessalonians 3:10. It specifically addresses the issue of supporting those who are able to work but choose not to, which is the core message of the Bible verse.
"When we give to the poor we should consider: “Am I encouraging prodigality? Am I helping or injuring them?” No man who can earn his own livelihood has a right to depend on others. 6T 278.1"
The EGW passage is a clear restatement and application of the principle found in 2 Thessalonians 3:10. It's a direct echo of the biblical verse.
***** Chapter 58—Duty to the Poor Inquiries are often made in regard to our duty to the poor who embrace the third message; and we ourselves have long been anxious to know how to manage with discretion the cases of poor families who embrace the Sabbath. But while at Roosevelt, New York, August 3, 1861, I was shown some things in regard to the poor. 1T 272.1 God does not require our brethren to take charge of every poor family that shall embrace this message. If they should do this, the ministers must cease to enter new fields, for the funds would be exhausted. Many are poor from their own lack of diligence and economy; they know not how to use means aright. If they should be helped, it would hurt them. Some will always be poor. If they should have the very best advantages, their cases would not be helped. They have not good calculation and would use all the means they could obtain, were it much or little. Some know nothing of denying self and economizing to keep out of debt and to get …
The principle in 2 Thessalonians 3:10, that those who do not work should not eat, is directly applied by EGW in her discussion of the poor. She states that many are poor due to their own lack of diligence and that helping them would hurt them, reflecting the same principle of not enabling idleness.
"Many look upon labor as drudgery, and they try to obtain a livelihood by scheming rather than by honest toil. This desire to get a living without work opens the door to wretchedness and vice and crime almost without limit. MH 189.4"
The passage condemns idleness and the desire to live without honest work, aligning with the principle in 2 Thessalonians 3:10 that those who do not work should not eat.
"The Dignity of Labor God ordained that the beings He created should work. Upon this their happiness depends. No one in the Lord's great domain of creation was made to be a drone. Our happiness increases and our powers develop as we engage in useful employment. LS 87"
The EGW passage emphasizes the dignity of labor and states that no one was made to be a drone. This aligns with the principle in 2 Thessalonians 3:10, which states that if anyone is unwilling to work, they should not eat. Both passages highlight the importance of work and discourage idleness.
"At all times the machinery of the body continues its work. Day by day the heart throbs, doing its regular, appointed task, unceasingly forcing its crimson current to all parts of the body. Action, action, is seen pervading the whole living machinery. And man, his mind and body created in God's similitude, must be active in order to fill his appointed place. He is not to be idle. Idleness is sin. LS 87.3"
The EGW passage states that 'Idleness is sin' and connects it to the need for activity and filling one's appointed place. This aligns with the principle in 2 Thessalonians 3:10, which condemns idleness and emphasizes the importance of work. The connection is a direct application of the biblical principle to the concept of idleness as sin.
"In acquiring an education, many students would gain a most valuable training if they would become self- sustaining. Instead of incurring debts, or depending on the self-denial of their parents, let young men and young women depend on themselves. They will thus learn the value of money, the value of time, strength, and opportunities, and will be under far less temptation to indulge idle and spendthrift habits. The lessons of economy, industry, self-denial, practical business management, and steadfastness of purpose, thus mastered, would prove a most important part of their equipment for the battle of life. And the lesson of self-help learned by the student would go far toward preserving institutions of learning from the burden of debt under which so many schools have struggled, and which has done so much toward crippling their usefulness. Ed 221.2"
EGW's encouragement of self-sufficiency and avoiding dependence on others aligns with the principle in 2 Thessalonians 3:10 that those who do not work should not eat. Both passages promote the value of labor and discourage idleness.
"Methods of helping the needy should be carefully and prayerfully considered. We are to seek God for wisdom, for He knows better than shortsighted mortals how to care for the creatures He has made. There are some who give indiscriminately to everyone who solicits their aid. In this they err. In trying to help the needy, we should be careful to give them the right kind of help. There are those who when helped will continue to make themselves special objects of need. They will be dependent as long as they see anything on which to depend. By giving undue time and attention to these, we may encourage idleness, helplessness, extravagance, and intemperance. 6T 277.4"
The EGW passage directly echoes the principle in 2 Thessalonians 3:10, cautioning against enabling idleness by providing for those who are able to work.
"The Waldenses had sacrificed their worldly prosperity for the truth's sake, and with persevering patience they toiled for their bread. Every spot of tillable land among the mountains was carefully improved; the valleys and the less fertile hillsides were made to yield their increase. Economy and severe self-denial formed a part of the education which the children received as their only legacy. They were taught that God designs life to be a discipline, and that their wants could be supplied only by personal labor, by forethought, care, and faith. The process was laborious and wearisome, but it was wholesome, just what man needs in his fallen state, the school which God has provided for his training and development. While the youth were inured to toil and hardship, the culture of the intellect was not neglected. They were taught that all their powers belonged to God, and that all were to be improved and developed for His service. GC 67.3"
Both passages emphasize the importance of work and self-reliance. The EGW passage describes the Waldenses' commitment to hard work and self-denial, while the Bible verse states that those who do not work should not eat. The EGW passage provides a specific example of this principle in action.
"To secure the object which they sought, “they were content to earn a bare subsistence by a life of frugality and toil. They asked nothing from the soil but the reasonable returns of their own labor. No golden vision threw a deceitful halo around their path.... They were content with the slow but steady progress of their social polity. They patiently endured the privations of the wilderness, watering the tree of liberty with their tears, and with the sweat of their brow, till it took deep root in the land.” GC 296.2"
The passage describes the pilgrims' willingness to work hard for their sustenance, reflecting the principle that those who don't work shouldn't eat.
2 Thessalonians 3:11
"For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies."
"At Thessalonica Paul had met those who refused to work with their hands. It was of this class that he afterward wrote: “There are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.” While laboring in Thessalonica, Paul had been careful to set before such ones a right example. “Even when we were with you,” he wrote, “this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.” Verses 11, 12, 10 . AA 347.3"
EGW directly quotes 2 Thessalonians 3:11.
"Indolent, careless habits indulged in secular work will be brought into the religious life and will unfit one to do any efficient service for God. Many who through diligent labor might have been a blessing to the world, have been ruined through idleness. Lack of employment and of steadfast purpose opens the door to a thousand temptations. Evil companions and vicious habits deprave mind and soul, and the result is ruin for this life and for the life to come. COL 345.5"
The EGW passage directly addresses the issue of idleness and its negative consequences, echoing the sentiment expressed in 2 Thessalonians 3:11 about those who are 'working not at all, but are busybodies.' The principle of avoiding idleness is central to both passages.
2 Thessalonians 3:12
"Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread."
"The work of the believers had been given them by God. By their faithful adherence to the truth they were to give to others the light which they had received. The apostle bade them not to become weary in well-doing, and pointed them to his own example of diligence in temporal matters while laboring with untiring zeal in the cause of Christ. He reproved those who had given themselves up to sloth and aimless excitement, and directed that “with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.” He also enjoined upon the church to separate from their fellowship anyone who should persist in disregarding the instruction given by God's ministers. “Yet,” he added, “count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.” AA 267.2"
The EGW passage directly quotes 2 Thessalonians 3:12.
2 Thessalonians 3:13
"But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing."
"From eternity Christ has been man's Redeemer. Ever since the Fall there has come to those uniting with Him in His great work the word: “Be not weary in well-doing.” 2 Thessalonians 3:13 . Be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:58 . 9T 220.2"
Ellen White directly references 2 Thessalonians 3:13 in this passage.
"Thus Paul outlined the baleful work of that power of evil which was to continue through long centuries of darkness and persecution before the second coming of Christ. The Thessalonian believers had hoped for immediate deliverance; now they were admonished to take up bravely and in the fear of God the work before them. The apostle charged them not to neglect their duties or resign themselves to idle waiting. After their glowing anticipations of immediate deliverance the round of daily life and the opposition that they must meet would appear doubly forbidding. He therefore exhorted them to steadfastness in the faith: AA 266.3"
The EGW passage discusses Paul's admonishment to the Thessalonians to continue working and not be idle, which aligns with the principle of not being weary in well-doing found in 2 Thessalonians 3:13.