Your wife has been no special help to you, but rather a hindrance. Had she received and heeded the testimonies given her more than two years ago she would now be a strong helper with you in the gospel. But she has not received and really acted upon that testimony. Had she done this, her course would have been entirely different. She has not been consecrated to God. She loves her ease, shuns burdens, and does not deny herself. She indulges in indolence, and her example is not worthy of imitation, but is an injury to the cause of God. At times she exerts a strong influence over you, especially if she feels homesick or discontented. Again, in church affairs she has an influence over you. She forms her opinion of this brother or that sister, and expresses dislike or strong attachment, while it has frequently been the case that the very ones she takes into her heart have been a source of great trial to the church. Her unconsecrated state leads her to feel very strong attachments to those wh…
"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 discusses the wife's lack of self-denial and consecration, contrasting it with the call to deny oneself in Matthew 16:24. While not a direct quote, the underlying theme of self-denial for spiritual growth connects the two passages.
"To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed."
The EGW passage describes the wife's shortcomings in fulfilling her role, which aligns with the qualities of a virtuous woman described in Titus 2:5. The emphasis on being a helper, keeper at home, and obedient reflects similar themes in both passages.
"Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ."
The EGW passage highlights the wife's failure to be a helpful partner and her tendency to create burdens, contrasting with the call to bear one another's burdens in Galatians 6:2. The connection lies in the shared theme of supporting and assisting others in their spiritual journey.
You must exemplify the life of Christ, for solemn responsibilities rest upon you. Your wife is responsible to God for her course. If she is a hindrance to you she must render an account to God. Sometimes she arouses and humbles herself before God and is a real help; but she soon falls back into the same inactive state, shunning responsibilities, and excusing herself from mental and physical labor. Her health would be far better if she were more active, if she would engage more cheerfully and heartily in physical and mental labor. She does not lack the ability, but the disposition to act; she will not persevere in cultivating a love for activity. God can do nothing for her in her present condition. She has something to do to arouse herself and devote to God her physical and mental energies. God requires this of her, and in the day of God she will be found an unprofitable servant unless there is a thorough reformation on her part and she lives up to the light given. Until this reformatio…
"So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God."
The EGW passage directly states that the wife is responsible to God for her course and will render an account. Romans 14:12 explicitly states that each person will give an account of himself to God. This is a clear and direct parallel.
"For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:"
Both passages emphasize following Christ's example. The EGW passage speaks of exemplifying the life of Christ, while 1 Peter 2:21 speaks of following his steps. However, the connection is somewhat general.