"There is in the Saviour's words another lesson, a lesson of wonderful forbearance and tender love. As the tares have their roots closely intertwined with those of the good grain, so false brethren in the church may be closely linked with true disciples. The real character of these pretended believers is not fully manifested. Were they to be separated from the church, others might be caused to stumble, who but for this would have remained steadfast. COL 72.1"
"But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them."
EGW is directly interpreting the parable of the tares and wheat, focusing on the intertwined roots and the risk of harming the good grain.
"Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way."
The idea of not causing others to stumble is present in both passages. EGW connects the idea of prematurely separating false brethren with the potential to cause true disciples to stumble, which aligns with the general principle of avoiding actions that might lead others astray found in Romans 14:13.
"The teaching of this parable is illustrated in God's own dealing with men and angels. Satan is a deceiver. When he sinned in heaven, even the loyal angels did not fully discern his character. This was why God did not at once destroy Satan. Had He done so, the holy angels would not have perceived the justice and love of God. A doubt of God's goodness would have been as evil seed that would yield the bitter fruit of sin and woe. Therefore the author of evil was spared, fully to develop his character. Through long ages God has borne the anguish of beholding the work of evil, He has given the infinite Gift of Calvary, rather than leave any to be deceived by the misrepresentations of the wicked one; for the tares could not be plucked up without danger of uprooting the precious grain. And shall we not be as forbearing toward our fellow men as the Lord of heaven and earth is toward Satan? COL 72.2"
"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."
Both passages address God's patience and longsuffering, although the EGW passage focuses on God's dealing with Satan and the angels, while the Bible verse focuses on God's longsuffering toward humanity. The core theme of God's patience is present in both.
"And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him."
Both passages refer to Satan as a deceiver. The EGW passage explains why God didn't immediately destroy Satan, while the Bible verse identifies Satan as the one who deceives the whole world. The connection is thematic, focusing on Satan's deceptive nature.