"Under the most favorable circumstances several months must pass before Timothy could reach Rome from Asia Minor. Paul knew that his life was uncertain, and he feared that Timothy might arrive too late to see him. He had important counsel and instruction for the young man, to whom so great responsibility had been entrusted; and while urging him to come without delay, he dictated the dying testimony that he might not be spared to utter. His soul filled with loving solicitude for his son in the gospel and for the church under his care, Paul sought to impress Timothy with the importance of fidelity to his sacred trust. AA 499.1"
"Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me:"
The EGW passage directly references Paul's desire for Timothy to come quickly, which is the core of 2 Timothy 4:9.
"And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more."
Both passages deal with Paul's awareness of his impending death and his concern for those he is leaving behind. The EGW passage amplifies Paul's concern for Timothy and the church, echoing the sentiment in Acts 20:25 where Paul knows he will not see the Ephesian elders again.
"Paul began his letter with the salutation: “To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day.” AA 499.2"
"To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord."
The EGW passage directly quotes 2 Timothy 1:2.
"For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;"
Both passages highlight Paul's consistent prayers and service to God. While not a direct quote, the EGW passage echoes the sentiment of Romans 1:9 regarding Paul's unceasing prayers.
"The apostle then urged upon Timothy the necessity of steadfastness in the faith. “I put thee in remembrance,” he wrote, “that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God.” Paul entreated Timothy to remember that he had been called “with a holy calling” to proclaim the power of Him who had “brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: whereunto,” he declared, “I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day.” AA 499.3"
"Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;"
The EGW passage directly quotes 2 Timothy 1:8.
"Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands."
The EGW passage directly quotes 2 Timothy 1:6, making it a clear and explicit allusion.
"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."
The EGW passage directly quotes 2 Timothy 1:7, making it a clear and explicit allusion.