"It takes those who have trained their minds to war against the truth to manufacture quibbles. And we are not wise to take them from their hands, and pass them out to thousands who would never have thought of them had we not published them to the world. This is what our opponents want to have done; they want to be brought to notice and to have us publish for them. This is especially true of some. This is their main object in writing out their falsehoods and in misrepresenting the truth and the characters of those who love and advocate the truth. They will die out more speedily to be left unnoticed, to have their errors and falsehoods treated with silent contempt. They do not want to be let alone. Opposition is the element that they love. If it were not for this, they would have but little influence. 3T 37.1"
"But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes."
Both passages warn against engaging in foolish and unproductive arguments. 2 Timothy 2:23 explicitly advises avoiding such questions because they lead to strife. EGW argues that engaging with the 'quibbles' of opponents only serves to amplify their message and distract from more important work. The thematic parallel lies in the shared emphasis on avoiding pointless arguments that hinder the spread of truth.
"But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain."
Both passages advise against engaging in foolish and unproductive arguments. Titus 3:9 explicitly advises avoiding such questions because they are unprofitable and vain. EGW argues that engaging with the 'quibbles' of opponents only serves to amplify their message and distract from more important work. The thematic parallel lies in the shared emphasis on avoiding pointless arguments that hinder the spread of truth.
"The first-day Adventists as a class are the most difficult to reach. They generally reject the truth, as did the Jews. We should, as far as possible, go forward as though there were not such a people in existence. They are the elements of confusion, and immoralities exist among them to a fearful extent. It would be the greatest calamity to have many of their number embrace the truth. They would have to unlearn everything and learn anew, or they would cause us great trouble. There are occasions where their glaring misrepresentations will have to be met. When this is the case, it should be done promptly and briefly, and we should then pass on to our work. The plan of Christ's teaching should be ours. He was plain and simple, striking directly at the root of the matter, and the minds of all were met. 3T 37.2"
"Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles."
Both passages describe a rejection of a message by a specific group (Jews/First-day Adventists) and a subsequent shift in focus to another group (Gentiles/others). The EGW passage echoes the sentiment of moving on when a group is resistant to the message.
"Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch."
Both passages suggest a strategy of disengagement from those who are resistant to the truth. Matthew 15:14 advises to 'let them alone' when dealing with blind leaders. EGW suggests, 'as far as possible, go forward as though there were not such a people in existence' when referring to first-day Adventists. The thematic parallel is in the advice to avoid unproductive engagement with those who are firmly set in their ways.
"You may remove every prop today and close the mouths of objectors so that they can say nothing, and tomorrow they will go over the same ground again. Thus it will be, over and over, because they do not love the light and will not come to the light, lest their darkness and error should be removed from them. It is a better plan to keep a reserve of arguments than to pour out a depth of knowledge upon a subject which would be taken for granted without labored argument. Christ's ministry lasted only three years, and a great work was done in that short period. In these last days there is a great work to be done in a short time. While many are getting ready to do something, souls will perish for the light and knowledge. 3T 37.3"
"And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil."
Both passages highlight the rejection of light (truth) in favor of darkness (error). EGW's statement that people 'do not love the light and will not come to the light, lest their darkness and error should be removed from them' directly echoes the sentiment in John 3:19.