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
Ephesians 1:4-5
"According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,"
"The Lord Jesus Christ has infinite tenderness for those whom he has purchased at the cost of his own sufferings in the flesh, that they should not perish with the devil and his angels, but that he may claim them as his chosen ones. They are the claim of his love, of his own property; and he looks upon them with unutterable affection, and the fragrance of his own righteousness he gives to his loved ones who believe in him. It requires tact and wisdom and human love, and sanctified affection for the precious lambs of the flock, to lead them to see and appreciate their privilege in yielding themselves up to the tender guidance of the faithful shepherds. The children of God will exercise the gentleness of Jesus Christ. CE 146.1"
Both passages discuss God's choosing of believers. EGW emphasizes Christ's claim on believers and his affection for them, while Ephesians 1:4-5 focuses on predestination and adoption as children of God.
Ephesians 1:6
"To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved."
"Today this prophecy is meeting rapid fulfillment. The missionary activities of the church of God on earth are bearing rich fruitage, and soon the gospel message will have been proclaimed to all nations. “To the praise of the glory of His grace,” men and women from every kindred, tongue, and people are being made “accepted in the Beloved,” “that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 1:6 ; 2:7 . “Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things. And blessed be His glorious name forever: and let the whole earth be filled with His glory.” Psalm 72:18, 19 . PK 313.3"
Ellen White directly references Ephesians 1:6 in this passage.
"The voice of God is heard proclaiming that justice is satisfied. Satan is vanquished. Christ's toiling, struggling ones on earth are “accepted in the Beloved.” Ephesians 1:6 . Before the heavenly angels and the representatives of unfallen worlds, they are declared justified. Where He is, there His church shall be. “Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.” Psalm 85:10 . The Father's arms encircle His Son, and the word is given, “Let all the angels of God worship Him.” Hebrews 1:6 . DA 834.3"
Ellen White directly references Ephesians 1:6 in this passage.
"And the word that was spoken to Jesus at the Jordan, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased,” embraces humanity. God spoke to Jesus as our representative. With all our sins and weaknesses, we are not cast aside as worthless. “He hath made us accepted in the Beloved.” Ephesians 1:6 . The glory that rested upon Christ is a pledge of the love of God for us. It tells us of the power of prayer,—how the human voice may reach the ear of God, and our petitions find acceptance in the courts of heaven. By sin, earth was cut off from heaven, and alienated from its communion; but Jesus has connected it again with the sphere of glory. His love has encircled man, and reached the highest heaven. The light which fell from the open portals upon the head of our Saviour will fall upon us as we pray for help to resist temptation. The voice which spoke to Jesus says to every believing soul, This is My beloved child, in whom I am well pleased. DA 113.1"
Ellen White directly references Ephesians 1:6 in this passage.
"When this intimacy of connection and communion is formed, our sins are laid upon Christ; His righteousness is imputed to us. He was made sin for us that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. We have access to God through Him; we are accepted in the Beloved. Whoever by word of deed injures a believer thereby wounds Jesus. Whoever gives a cup of cold water to a disciple because he is a child of God will be regarded by Christ as giving to Him. 5T 229.3"
EGW uses the phrase "accepted in the Beloved," which is a direct quote from Ephesians 1:6, indicating a clear connection.
"I believed the solemn words spoken by the servant of God, and my heart was pained when they were opposed or made the subject of jest. I frequently attended the meetings, and believed that Jesus was soon to come in the clouds of heaven; but my great anxiety was to be ready to meet Him. My mind constantly dwelt upon the subject of holiness of heart. I longed above all things to obtain this great blessing and feel that I was entirely accepted of God. 1T 22.2"
EGW's longing to be 'entirely accepted of God' echoes the theme of acceptance through grace in Ephesians 1:6. While not a direct quote, the underlying concept is strongly present.
Ephesians 1:7
"In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;"
"As you read the promises, remember they are the expression of unutterable love and pity. The great heart of Infinite Love is drawn toward the sinner with boundless compassion. “We have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.” Ephesians 1:7 . Yes, only believe that God is your helper. He wants to restore His moral image in man. As you draw near to Him with confession and repentance, He will draw near to you with mercy and forgiveness. SC 55.1"
Ellen White directly references Ephesians 1:7 in this passage.
"according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” 1 Corinthians 1:30 ; Jeremiah 9:23, 24 ; Ephesians 1:7 ; Philippians 4:19 . 6T 257.2"
Ellen White directly references Ephesians 1:7 in this passage.
Ephesians 1:13
"In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,"
"brought about a sanctification of the whole being. The Spirit will take the things of God and stamp them on the soul. By His power the way of life will be made so plain that none need err therein. AA 52.5"
Both passages relate to the Holy Spirit and its effect on believers. Ephesians 1:13 speaks of being sealed with the Holy Spirit after believing, while EGW speaks of the Spirit stamping things on the soul. The connection is the Spirit's transformative power.
Ephesians 1:14
"Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory."
"Satan, by means of his success in turning man aside from the path of obedience, became “the god of this world.” 2 Corinthians 4:4 . The dominion that once was Adam's passed to the usurper. But the Son of God proposed to come to this earth to pay the penalty of sin, and thus not only redeem man, but recover the dominion forfeited. It is of this restoration that Micah prophesied when he said, “O Tower of the flock, the stronghold of the daughter of Zion, unto Thee shall it come, even the first dominion.” Micah 4:8 . The apostle Paul has referred to it as “the redemption of the purchased possession.” Ephesians 1:14 . And the psalmist had in mind the same final restoration of man's original inheritance when he declared, “The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein forever.” Psalm 37:29 . PK 682.1"
Ellen White directly references Ephesians 1:14 in this passage.
in bondage.” 2 Peter 2:19 . When man became Satan's captive, the dominion which he held, passed to his conqueror. Thus Satan became “the god of this world.” 2 Corinthians 4:4 . He had usurped that dominion over the earth which had been originally given to Adam. But Christ, by His sacrifice paying the penalty of sin, would not only redeem man, but recover the dominion which he had forfeited. All that was lost by the first Adam will be restored by the second. Says the prophet, “O tower of the flock, the stronghold of the daughter of Zion, unto thee shall it come, even the first dominion.” Micah 4:8 . And the apostle Paul points forward to the “redemption of the purchased possession.” Ephesians 1:14 . God created the earth to be the abode of holy, happy beings. The Lord “formed the earth and made it; He hath established it, He created it not in vain, He formed it to be inhabited.” Isaiah 45:18 . That purpose will be fulfilled, when, renewed by the power of God, and freed from sin and sorr…
Ellen White directly references Ephesians 1:14 in this passage.
Ephesians 1:16
"Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;"
“Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers, hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints; that the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.” The apostle reminded Philemon that every good purpose and trait of character which he possessed was due to the grace of Christ; this alone made him different from the perverse and the sinful. The same grace could make the debased criminal a child of God and a useful laborer in the gospel. AA 457.1 Paul might have urged upon Philemon his duty as a Christian; but he chose rather the language of entreaty: “As Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ, I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds; which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me.” AA 457.2 The apostle …
The EGW passage directly quotes Ephesians 1:16 as part of a larger quotation from Paul's writings.
Ephesians 1:17-19
"That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,"
"My brethren in responsible positions, may the Lord not only anoint your eyes that they may see, but pour into your hearts the holy oil that from the two olive branches flows through the golden pipes into the golden bowl which feeds the lamps of the sanctuary. May He “give unto you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him: the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, ... and what is the exceeding greatness of His power to usward who believe.” Ephesians 1:17-19 . 7T 154.2 As faithful householders, give meat in due season to the household of God. Present truth to the people. Work as if in full view of the whole universe of heaven. We have no time to lose—not a moment. Important issues must soon be met, and we need to be hidden in the cleft of the rock, that we may see Jesus and be quickened by His Holy Spirit. 7T 154.3"
Ellen White directly references Ephesians 1:17-19 in this passage.
Ephesians 1:18
"The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,"
"Christ's redeemed ones are His jewels, His precious and peculiar treasure. “They shall be as the stones of a crown,”—“the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.” [ Zechariah 9:16 ; Ephesians 1:18 .] In them “He shall see of the travail of His soul, and shall be satisfied. [ Isaiah 53:11 .] GW 517.2"
Ellen White directly references Ephesians 1:18 in this passage.
"Christ's redeemed ones are His jewels, His precious and peculiar treasure. “They shall be as the stones of a crown”—“the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.” Zechariah 9:16 ; Ephesians 1:18 . In them “He shall see of the travail of His soul, and shall be satisfied.” Isaiah 53:11 . 6T 309.4"
Ellen White directly references Ephesians 1:18 in this passage.
"This treasure, which Christ esteems as precious above all estimate, is “the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.” Ephesians 1:18 . The disciples of Christ are called His jewels, His precious and peculiar treasure. He says, “They shall be as the stones of a crown.” “I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir.” Zechariah 9:16 ; Isaiah 13:12 . Christ looks upon His people in their purity and perfection as the reward of all His sufferings, His humiliation, and His love, and the supplement of His glory—Christ, the great Center, from whom radiates all glory. MB 89.3"
Ellen White directly references Ephesians 1:18 in this passage.
Ephesians 1:22
"And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,"
"world is plainly and positively enjoined in both the Old and the New Testament. There is a wall of separation which the Lord Himself has established between the things of the world and the things He has chosen out of the world and sanctified unto Himself. The calling and character of God's people are peculiar, their prospects are peculiar, and these peculiarities distinguish them from all other people. All of God's people upon the earth are one body, from the beginning to the end of time. They have one Head that directs and governs the body. The same injunctions that rested upon ancient Israel, rest upon God's people now, to be separate from the world. The great Head of the church has not changed. The experience of Christians in these days is much like the travels of ancient Israel. Please read 1 Corinthians 10 , especially from the 6th to the 15th verse : 1T 283.4"
Both passages refer to Christ as the head of the church. EGW's statement about 'one Head' aligns with Ephesians' description of Christ as the head over all things to the church.