"He was at an age when respect and appreciation are most eagerly craved, and these menial offices were deeply mortifying to his natural feelings; but he patiently endured this humiliation, believing that it was necessary because of his sins. GC 123.1"
"Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me."
The EGW passage describes Luther's self-denial and mortification, which aligns with the principle of denying oneself and taking up one's cross as described in Matthew 16:24.
"For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully."
Both passages discuss enduring suffering, but the EGW passage focuses on humiliation due to sin, while the Bible verse speaks of enduring grief for conscience's sake. The connection is thematic but not a direct parallel.
Every moment that could be spared from his daily duties he employed in study, robbing himself of sleep and grudging even the time spent at his scanty meals. Above everything else he delighted in the study of God's word. He had found a Bible chained to the convent wall, and to this he often repaired. As his convictions of sin deepened, he sought by his own works to obtain pardon and peace. He led a most rigorous life, endeavoring by fasting, vigils, and scourgings to subdue the evils of his nature, from which the monastic life had brought no release. He shrank from no sacrifice by which he might attain to that purity of heart which would enable him to stand approved before God. “I was indeed a pious monk,” he afterward said, “and followed the rules of my order more strictly than I can express. If ever monk could obtain heaven by his monkish works, I should certainly have been entitled to it.... If it had continued much longer, I should have carried my mortifications even to death.”— Ibi…
"O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day."
Both passages highlight a deep love for and dedication to studying God's word. Luther's dedication to studying the Bible, even to the point of sacrificing sleep and meals, echoes the Psalmist's love for God's law.
"Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh."
The EGW passage describes Luther's rigorous self-denial and attempts to earn salvation through works, which is directly contrasted with the warning against will worship and neglecting the body in Colossians 2:23. The connection is that Luther's actions exemplify what Paul warns against.
"When it appeared to Luther that all was lost, God raised up a friend and helper for him. The pious Staupitz opened the word of God to Luther's mind and bade him look away from himself, cease the contemplation of infinite punishment for the violation of God's law, and look to Jesus, his sin-pardoning Saviour. “Instead of torturing yourself on account of your sins, throw yourself into the Redeemer's arms. Trust in Him, in the righteousness of His life, in the atonement of His death.... Listen to the Son of God. He became man to give you the assurance of divine favor.” “Love Him who first loved you.”— Ibid., b. 2, ch. 4. Thus spoke this messenger of mercy. His words made a deep impression upon Luther's mind. After many a struggle with long-cherished errors, he was enabled to grasp the truth, and peace came to his troubled soul. GC 123.3"
"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
The EGW passage directly quotes "Love Him who first loved you" and the overall theme of Staupitz's message to Luther is that of God's love being extended to sinners through Christ's sacrifice, which is the core message of Romans 5:8.