"advocating. The one great purpose of his Christian life had been to serve Him whose name had once filled him with contempt; and from this purpose no opposition or persecution had been able to turn him aside. His faith, made strong by effort and pure by sacrifice, upheld and strengthened him. AA 500.1"
"But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ."
Both passages highlight the idea of sacrificing personal gain for Christ. Paul's dedication to serving Christ, even after previously opposing him, aligns with the concept of counting things as loss for Christ, as expressed in Philippians 3:7.
"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?"
Both passages address the theme of unwavering commitment to Christ despite persecution and hardship. Romans 8:35 asks what can separate us from Christ's love, listing various trials, while the EGW passage describes Paul's perseverance despite opposition. The connection is thematic, focusing on enduring faith.
"“Thou therefore, my son,” Paul continued, “be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” AA 500.2"
"Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus."
The EGW passage directly quotes 2 Timothy 2:1.
"And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also."
EGW directly quotes 2 Timothy 2:2.
"Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ."
EGW directly quotes 2 Timothy 2:3.