"Chapter 44—Caesar's Household The gospel has ever achieved its greatest success among the humbler classes. “Not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.” 1 Corinthians 1:26 . It could not be expected that Paul, a poor and friendless prisoner, would be able to gain the attention of the wealthy and titled classes of Roman citizens. To them vice presented all its glittering allurements and held them willing captives. But from among the toilworn, want-stricken victims of their oppression, even from among the poor slaves, many gladly listened to the words of Paul and in the faith of Christ found a hope and peace that cheered them under the hardships of their lot. AA 461"
"For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:"
EGW directly quotes 1 Corinthians 1:26 and uses it to support her point about the gospel's success among the humbler classes.
"The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them."
Both passages relate to the gospel being preached to the poor and lowly. Matthew 11:5 lists the beneficiaries of Jesus' ministry, including the poor. EGW connects this to the success of the gospel among the 'toilworn, want-stricken victims' and 'poor slaves.'
"Yet while the apostle's work began with the humble and the lowly, its influence extended until it reached the very palace of the emperor. AA 461.2"
"All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Cesar’s household."
Philippians 4:22 mentions saints in Caesar's household, indicating the gospel's reach into the highest levels of Roman society. EGW's statement that the apostle's work 'extended until it reached the very palace of the emperor' directly reflects this.
"But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:"
Both passages refer to the spread of the gospel to high places, including kings or emperors. The EGW passage amplifies the idea that Paul's influence reached even the emperor's palace, fulfilling the prophecy in Acts 9:15.
"Rome was at this time the metropolis of the world. The haughty Caesars were giving laws to nearly every nation upon the earth. King and courtier were either ignorant of the humble Nazarene or regarded Him with hatred and derision. And yet in less than two years the gospel found its way from the prisoner's lowly home into the imperial halls. Paul is in bonds as an evildoer; but “the word of God is not bound.” 2 Timothy 2:9 . AA 461.3"
"Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound."
Ellen White directly references 2 Timothy 2:9 in this passage.