"As we meditate upon the perfections of the Saviour, we shall desire to be wholly transformed and renewed in the image of His purity. There will be a hungering and thirsting of soul to become like Him whom we adore. The more our thoughts are upon Christ, the more we shall speak of Him to others and represent Him to the world. SC 89.1"
"Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled."
The EGW passage directly alludes to the concept of hungering and thirsting, mirroring the language and spiritual principle of Matthew 5:6. The context of desiring righteousness and being filled is also present, strengthening the connection.
"But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord."
Both passages discuss transformation into the image of God/Christ. The EGW passage speaks of being 'transformed and renewed in the image of His purity,' while 2 Corinthians 3:18 speaks of being 'changed into the same image.'
"The Bible was not written for the scholar alone; on the contrary, it was designed for the common people. The great truths necessary for salvation are made as clear as noonday; and none will mistake and lose their way except those who follow their own judgment instead of the plainly revealed will of God. SC 89.2"
"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding."
Both passages emphasize the importance of trusting in God rather than one's own understanding. The EGW quote specifically warns against following 'their own judgment,' which directly echoes the sentiment of Proverbs 3:5.
"At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes."
Both passages highlight that the truths of God are accessible to ordinary people, not just the intellectual elite. Matthew 11:25 speaks of God revealing truths to 'babes' while hiding them from the 'wise and prudent,' which aligns with EGW's statement that the Bible was 'designed for the common people.'
"We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:"
Both passages speak of the Bible/prophecy as a source of light and guidance. The EGW quote emphasizes the clarity of the Bible's truths, while 2 Peter 1:19 compares prophecy to a light shining in a dark place.
"We should not take the testimony of any man as to what the Scriptures teach, but should study the words of God for ourselves. If we allow others to do our thinking, we shall have crippled energies and contracted abilities. The noble powers of the mind may be so dwarfed by lack of exercise on themes worthy of their concentration as to lose their ability to grasp the deep meaning of the word of God. The mind will enlarge if it is employed in tracing out the relation of the subjects of the Bible, comparing scripture with scripture and spiritual things with spiritual. SC 89.3"
"These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so."
Both passages emphasize the importance of individual Bible study and not relying solely on others' interpretations. The Bereans' example of searching the scriptures daily to verify teachings aligns with EGW's encouragement to study the words of God for ourselves.
"Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual."
The phrase 'comparing spiritual things with spiritual' is a direct quote from 1 Corinthians 2:13, making this an explicit allusion. EGW uses this concept to support her argument for studying the Bible and understanding its deeper meaning.