"Dr. E has made a great mistake in regard to exercise and amusements, and a still greater in his teaching concerning religious experience and religious excitement. The religion of the Bible is not detrimental to the health of body or mind. The exalting influence of the Spirit of God is the best restorative for the sick. Heaven is all health, and the more fully the heavenly influences are felt the more sure the recovery of the believing invalid. The influence of such views as are advanced by Dr. E has reached us as a people in some degree. Sabbathkeeping health reformers must be free from all these. Every true and real reform will bring us nearer to God and heaven, closer to the side of Jesus, and increase our knowledge of spiritual things and deepen in us the holiness of Christian experience. 1T 556.2"
"A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones."
Both passages discuss the connection between mental/emotional state and physical health. EGW's statement that 'The religion of the Bible is not detrimental to the health of body or mind' aligns with the idea in Proverbs 17:22 that a merry heart is beneficial to health.
"Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth."
Both passages connect spiritual well-being with physical health. EGW expands on the idea that a healthy spiritual life contributes to physical restoration, echoing the sentiment in 3 John 1:2 that wishes for prosperity and health in proportion to spiritual growth.
"It is true that there are unbalanced minds that impose upon themselves fasting which the Scriptures do not teach, and prayers and privation of rest and sleep which God has never required. Such are not prospered and sustained in their voluntary acts of righteousness. They have a pharisaical religion which is not of Christ, but of themselves. They trust in their good works for salvation, vainly hoping to earn heaven by their meritorious works instead of relying, as every sinner should, upon the merits of a crucified, risen, and exalted Saviour. These are almost sure to become sickly. But Christ and true godliness are health to the body and strength to the soul. 1T 556.3"
"Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin."
The EGW passage directly addresses the idea that salvation is not earned through works, echoing the principle in Romans 3:20 that justification is not by deeds of the law.
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."
The EGW passage explicitly contrasts reliance on good works with reliance on Christ's merits for salvation, which aligns with the core message of Ephesians 2:8-9 that salvation is a gift of God through grace, not earned by works.
"Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward."
Both passages address the issue of religious hypocrisy and its negative effects. EGW criticizes those who impose extreme fasting and privations for outward show, mirroring Jesus' condemnation of hypocritical fasting in Matthew 6:16.