“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 …
"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. For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother."
The EGW passage directly quotes and comments on Philemon 1:4-7.
"Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,"
The EGW passage directly quotes Galatians 1:3 as part of a larger quotation from Paul's writings.
"Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;"
The EGW passage directly quotes Ephesians 1:16 as part of a larger quotation from Paul's writings.
"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning."
Both passages discuss the source of good gifts and character traits. While EGW focuses on grace through Christ, James speaks of gifts from the Father of lights. There's a thematic overlap in attributing positive qualities to a divine source.
"The apostle well knew the severity which masters exercised toward their slaves, and he knew also that Philemon was greatly incensed because of the conduct of his servant. He tried to write to him in a way that would arouse his deepest and tenderest feelings as a Christian. The conversion of Onesimus had made him a brother in the faith, and any punishment inflicted on this new convert would be regarded by Paul as inflicted on himself. AA 457.4"
"And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."
The EGW passage echoes the sentiment of Matthew 25:40, where actions towards others are equated to actions towards Christ himself. Paul's concern for Onesimus mirrors this principle.
"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus."
Both passages address the equality of believers in Christ, regardless of social status (slave/free). EGW applies this principle to Philemon's relationship with Onesimus.