"Today the ministers of Christ should have the same witness as that which the Corinthian church bore to Paul's labors. But though in this age there are many preachers, there is a great scarcity of able, holy ministers— men filled with the love that dwelt in the heart of Christ. Pride, self-confidence, love of the world, faultfinding, bitterness, envy, are the fruit borne by many who profess the religion of Christ. Their lives, in sharp contrast to the life of the Saviour, often bear sad testimony to the character of the ministerial labor under which they were converted. AA 328.2"
"Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?"
The EGW passage discusses the fruits of ministers, contrasting those filled with Christ's love with those exhibiting negative traits. This directly parallels Matthew 7:16, which states that you will know them by their fruits. The connection is strong and thematic.
"A man can have no greater honor than to be accepted by God as an able minister of the gospel. But those whom the Lord blesses with power and success in His work do not boast. They acknowledge their entire dependence on Him, realizing that of themselves they have no power. With Paul they say, “Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament.” AA 328.3"
"Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;"
The EGW passage directly quotes 2 Corinthians 3:5, making it an explicit allusion. The context of the EGW passage also aligns with the meaning of the verse.
"A true minister does the work of the Master. He feels the importance of his work, realizing that he sustains to the church and to the world a relation similar to that which Christ sustained. He works untiringly to lead sinners to a nobler, higher life, that they may obtain the reward of the overcomer. His lips are touched with a live coal from the altar, and he uplifts Jesus as the sinner's only hope. Those who hear him know that he has drawn near to God in fervent, effectual prayer. The Holy Spirit has rested upon him, his soul has felt the vital, heavenly fire, and he is able to compare spiritual things with spiritual. Power is given him to tear down the strongholds of Satan. Hearts are broken by his presentation of the love of God, and many are led to inquire, “What must I do to be saved?” AA 328.4"
"Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged."
The EGW passage uses the imagery of a live coal touching the lips to describe a true minister's inspired speech, which is a clear reference to Isaiah 6:6-7. The connection is thematic and strong.