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
Proverbs 13:4
"The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat."
"“The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing.” “The drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.” Proverbs 13:4 ; 23:21 . Ed 135.4"
Ellen White directly references Proverbs 13:4 in this passage.
"There is a class of poor brethren who are not free from temptation. They are poor managers, they have not wise judgment, they wish to obtain means without waiting the slow process of persevering toil. Some are in such haste to better their condition that they engage in various enterprises without consulting men of good judgment and experience. Their expectations are seldom realized; instead of gaining, they lose, and then come temptation and a disposition to envy the rich. They really want to be benefited by the wealth of their brethren, and feel tried because they are not. But they are not worthy of receiving special help. They have evidence that their efforts have been scattered. They have been changeable in business, and full of anxiety and cares which bring but small returns. Such persons should listen to the counsel of those of experience. But frequently they are the last ones to seek advice. They think they have superior judgment and will not be taught. 1T 480.3"
Both passages contrast the sluggard's desires with the diligent's fulfillment. EGW applies this principle to those seeking wealth, while the proverb speaks more generally.
Proverbs 13:10
"Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom."
"Some who have but little experience, and are least qualified to teach the truth, are the last to ask advice and counsel of their experienced brethren. They put on the minister, and place themselves on a level with those of long and tried experience, and are not satisfied unless they can lead, thinking that because they are ministers, they know all that is worth knowing. Such preachers certainly lack a true knowledge of themselves. They do not possess becoming modesty and have altogether too high an opinion of their own abilities. Ministers of experience, who realize the sacredness of the work, and feel the weight of the cause upon them, are jealous of themselves. They consider it a privilege to advise with their brethren and are not offended if improvements are suggested in their plans of labor or in their manner of speaking. 1T 444.1"
The EGW passage describes the negative consequences of pride and the value of seeking counsel, which aligns with the principle expressed in Proverbs 13:10. The connection is more than just thematic; it's a direct application of the proverb's wisdom.
Proverbs 13:11
"Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase."
"“Wealth gotten in haste shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labor shall have increase.” Proverbs 13:11 , R.V., margin. Ed 136.7"
Ellen White directly references Proverbs 13:11 in this passage.
Proverbs 13:13
"Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded."
"marauders. 2 Kings 24:2 . Within a few years he closed his disastrous reign in ignominy, rejected of Heaven, unloved by his people, and despised by the rulers of Babylon whose confidence he had betrayed—and all as the result of his fatal mistake in turning from the purpose of God as revealed through His appointed messenger. PK 438.1 Jehoiachin [also known as Jeconiah, and Coniah], the son of Jehoiakim, occupied the throne only three months and ten days, when he surrendered to the Chaldean armies which, because of the rebellion of Judah's ruler, were once more besieging the fated city. On this occasion Nebuchadnezzar “carried away Jehoiachin to Babylon, and the king's mother, and the king's wives, and his officers, and the mighty of the land,” several thousand in number, together with “craftsmen and smiths a thousand.” With these the king of Babylon took “all the treasures of the house of the Lord, and the treasures of the king's house.” 2 Kings 24:15, 16, 13 . PK 438.2"
The passage in PK describes the consequences of Jehoiakim's actions, which align with the principle in Proverbs 13:13 that despising the word leads to destruction. The connection is a general principle.
Proverbs 13:15
"Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard."
"“The way of transgressors is hard,” but wisdom's “ways are ways of pleasantness and all her paths are peace.” Proverbs 13:15 ; 3:17 . Every act of obedience to Christ, every act of self-denial for His sake, every trial well endured, every victory gained over temptation, is a step in the march to the glory of final victory. If we take Christ for our guide, He will lead us safely. The veriest sinner need not miss his way. Not one trembling seeker need fail of walking in pure and holy light. Though the path is so narrow, so holy that sin cannot be tolerated therein, yet access has been secured for all, and not one doubting, trembling soul need say, “God cares nought for me.” MB 140.1"
Ellen White directly references Proverbs 13:15 in this passage.
"For a whole year after his fall David lived in apparent security; there was no outward evidence of God's displeasure. But the divine sentence was hanging over him. Swiftly and surely a day of judgment and retribution was approaching, which no repentance could avert, agony and shame that would darken his whole earthly life. Those who, by pointing to the example of David, try to lessen the guilt of their own sins, should learn from the Bible record that the way of transgression is hard. Though like David they should turn from their evil course, the results of sin, even in this life, will be found bitter and hard to bear. PP 723.4"
Both passages state that the path of sin is difficult and leads to hardship. The EGW passage uses David's experience to illustrate this principle.
"God does not require us to give up anything that it is for our best interest to retain. In all that He does, He has the well-being of His children in view. Would that all who have not chosen Christ might realize that He has something vastly better to offer them than they are seeking for themselves. Man is doing the greatest injury and injustice to his own soul when he thinks and acts contrary to the will of God. No real joy can be found in the path forbidden by Him who knows what is best and who plans for the good of His creatures. The path of transgression is the path of misery and destruction. SC 46.2"
Both passages contrast the positive outcome of wisdom/understanding with the negative consequences of transgression. Proverbs 13:15 states that "the way of transgressors is hard," while EGW describes the "path of transgression" as the "path of misery and destruction."
Proverbs 13:20
"He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed."
"“He that walketh with wise men shall be wise.” Proverbs 13:20 . Ed 136.2"
Ellen White directly references Proverbs 13:20 in this passage.
"***** Chapter 59—The Influence of Associates In our institutions, where many are laboring together, the influence of association is very great. It is natural to seek companionship. Everyone will find companions or make them. And just in proportion to the strength of the friendship, will be the amount of influence which friends will exert over one another for good or for evil. All will have associates, and will influence and be influenced in their turn. 4T 587"
The EGW passage directly reflects the principle in Proverbs 13:20, emphasizing the influence of associates on one another, whether for good or evil. The passage explicitly discusses the impact of companionship within institutions.
"The Influence Of Association God's word places great stress upon the influence of association, even on men and women. How much greater is its power on the developing mind and character of children and youth! The company they keep, the principles they adopt, the habits they form, will decide the question of their usefulness here and of their future destiny. CT 220"
Both passages emphasize the impact of association on one's character and destiny. Proverbs 13:20 directly links association with wise or foolish people to becoming wise or being destroyed, mirroring EGW's statement that the company one keeps influences their usefulness and future destiny.
"And the mother, fearing that her children will think her unjust, gratifies their wishes, which in the end proves a great injury to them. Young visitors, who have not a parent's watchful eye over them to see and correct their faults, often receive impressions which it will take months to remove. I was referred to cases of parents who had good, obedient children, and who, having the utmost confidence in certain families, trusted their children to go from them at a distance to visit these friends. From that time there was an entire change in the deportment and character of their children. Formerly they were contented and happy at home, and had no great desire to be much in the company of other young persons. When they return to their parents, restraint seems unjust, and home is like a prison to them. Such unwise movements of parents decide the character of their children. 1T 402.1"
The EGW passage illustrates the principle of Proverbs 13:20, showing how associating with the wrong influences can negatively impact children. The proverb warns against associating with fools, and the EGW passage shows the consequences of children being influenced by those who are not wise or spiritually minded.
"The true followers of Christ will not choose intimate friendship with those whose characters have serious defects, and whose example as a whole it would not be safe to follow, while it is their privilege to associate with persons who observe a conscientious regard for duty in business, and in religion. Those who lack principle and devotion generally exert a more positive influence to mold the minds of their intimate friends than is exerted by those who seem well balanced and able to control and influence the defective in character, those lacking spirituality and devotion. 3T 24.1"
The EGW passage warns against choosing friends with serious defects, while Proverbs 13:20 states that walking with wise men leads to wisdom and associating with fools leads to destruction. Both passages convey the principle that the company one keeps significantly influences one's character and destiny.
Proverbs 13:22
"A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just."
"And habits of economy, industry, and sobriety are, even in this world, a better portion for you and your children than a rich dowry. 6T 452.1"
Both passages touch on the idea of inheritance and legacy. Proverbs 13:22 speaks of leaving an inheritance, while EGW implies that good habits are a better inheritance than wealth. The connection is thematic.
Proverbs 13:23
"Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment."
The rough places of nature, the wild places, God has made attractive by placing beautiful things among the most unsightly. This is the work we are called to do. Even the desert places of the earth, where the outlook appears to be forbidding, may become as the garden of God. “In that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, And the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness. The meek also shall increase their joy in the Lord, And the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.” Isaiah 29:18, 19 . MH 194.4 By instruction in practical lines we can often help the poor most effectively. As a rule, those who have not been trained to work do not have habits of industry, perseverance, economy, and self-denial. They do not know how to manage. Often through lack of carefulness and right judgment there is wasted that which would maintain their families in decency and comfort if it were carefully and economically used. “Much food is in the tillage of the po…
Ellen White directly references Proverbs 13:23 in this passage.
Proverbs 13:24
"He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes."
"Sometimes parents wait for the Lord to do the very work that he has given them to do. Instead of restraining and controlling their children as they should, they pet and indulge them, and gratify their whims and desires. When these children go out from their early homes, it is with characters deformed by selfishness, with ungoverned appetites, with strong self-will; they are destitute of courtesy or respect for their parents, and do not love religious truth or the worship of God. They have grown up with traits that are a life-long curse to themselves and to others. Home is made anything but happy if the evil weeds of dissension, selfishness, envy, passion, and sullen stubbornness are left to flourish in the neglected garden of the soul. CE 234.2"
The EGW passage aligns with the principle of Proverbs 13:24, which contrasts sparing the rod with loving and chastening a child. EGW's emphasis on restraining and controlling children, rather than indulging them, directly reflects the wisdom of Proverbs 13:24.
"At school you had a good and noble teacher, yet you felt indignant because you were restrained. You thought that because you were the daughter of G your teacher should show a preference for you and should not take the liberty to correct and reprove you. Your sisters also partook of the same spirit. You carried your complaints to your parents; they heard your version of matters and sympathized with you more or less, and their feelings were stirred by your exaggerated reports. They injured you. You had not been as strictly disciplined as you should have been. Yet you were offended because you could not have your own way, but were compelled to yield to the decided, thorough manner of Brother H's instructions. While in school, you were sometimes troublesome, impudent, and defiant, and greatly lacked modesty and decorum. You were bold, selfish, and self- exalted, and needed firm discipline at home as well as at school. 2T 558.3"
The EGW passage discusses the need for discipline and the negative consequences of parents not providing it, which aligns with the proverb about sparing the rod. The proverb is a concise statement of a principle that EGW elaborates on in a specific context.
"Instead of uniting with those who bear the burdens, to lift up the standard of morals, and working with heart and soul in the fear of God to correct the wrongs in their children, many parents soothe their own consciences by saying, “My children are no worse than others.” They seek to conceal the glaring wrongs which God hates, lest their children shall become offended and take some desperate course. If the spirit of rebellion is in their hearts, far better subdue it now than permit it to increase and strengthen by indulgence. If parents would do their duty, we should see a different state of things. Many of these parents have backslidden from God. They do not have wisdom from Him to perceive the devices of Satan and to resist his snares.... CT 332.2"
Both passages address the importance of parental discipline and the negative consequences of neglecting it. The EGW passage expands on the idea of parents enabling rebellion, which aligns with the principle in Proverbs 13:24 about the importance of timely correction.
Absalom was permitted to return to Jerusalem, but not to appear at court or to meet his father. David had begun to see the evil effects of his indulgence toward his children; and tenderly as he loved this beautiful and gifted son, he felt it necessary, as a lesson both to Absalom and to the people, that abhorrence for such a crime should be manifested. Absalom lived two years in his own house, but banished from the court. His sister dwelt with him, and her presence kept alive the memory of the irreparable wrong she had suffered. In the popular estimation the prince was a hero rather than an offender. And having this advantage, he set himself to gain the hearts of the people. His personal appearance was such as to win the admiration of all beholders. “In all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty: from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him.” It was not wise for the king to leave a man of Absalom's character— ambitio…
The EGW passage discusses David's indulgence towards his children and the resulting negative consequences, specifically Absalom's rebellion. This aligns with the principle in Proverbs 13:24, which emphasizes the importance of discipline in raising children. David's failure to properly discipline Absalom contributed to the problems that arose.
"your family. What a terrible influence has your daughter had! The mother, not receiving love and sympathy from you, has centered her affections upon the daughter and has idolized her. She has been a petted, indulged, and nearly spoiled child through the exercise of injudicious affection. Her education has been sadly neglected. Had she been instructed in household duties, taught to bear her share of the family burdens, she would now be more healthy and happy. It is the duty of every mother to teach her children to act their part in life, to share her burdens, and not be useless machines. 1T 699.2"
Both passages address the importance of proper discipline and training in raising children. Proverbs 13:24 speaks of the necessity of chastisement, while EGW criticizes the 'injudicious affection' that leads to a spoiled child. The connection is valid.