"***** Chapter 37—True Refinement in the Ministry Brother E, I have designed to write to you for some time past, but have not found an opportunity to do so until now. While speaking to the people last Sabbath, I felt so clearly impressed with your case that I could with difficulty refrain from calling your name in public. I will now unburden my mind by writing you. In my last vision I was shown the deficiencies of those who profess to labor in word and doctrine. I saw that you had not been improving your abilities, but had been growing less and less efficient to teach the truth. You need a thorough conversion. You have a strong, set will, even to stubbornness. You might now have been fitted for the solemn work of bearing the message of truth to others had you been less self-confident and more humble and meek in spirit. 3T 459"
"Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee."
Both passages emphasize the importance of self-awareness and diligence in ministry. Paul urges Timothy to 'take heed' to himself and his doctrine, while EGW criticizes Brother E for not improving his abilities and needing a thorough conversion. The core principle of attentiveness to one's own spiritual state and teaching is shared.
"You do not love close application nor the taxation of continued effort. You have not been a persevering student of the word of God, neither have you been a zealous worker in the cause of God. Your life has been far from representing the life of Christ. You are not discriminating. You are not a wise, judicious worker. You do not study to win souls to Christ, as every minister of Christ should. You have a set track, a standard of your own, to which you wish to bring the people; but you fail to do this because they will not accept your standard. You are bigoted and frequently carry things to extremes and thereby seriously hurt the cause of God and turn souls from the truth instead of winning them to it. 3T 459.2"
"But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway."
Both passages address the need for self-discipline and avoiding being a 'castaway' or ineffective minister. Paul speaks of keeping his body under subjection, while EGW criticizes the minister for lacking application, being bigoted, and hurting the cause of God. The theme of self-control and avoiding hypocrisy is present in both.