"Christ is the “Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.” John 1:9 . As through Christ every human being has life, so also through Him every soul receives some ray of divine light. Not only intellectual but spiritual power, a perception of right, a desire for goodness, exists in every heart. But against these principles there is struggling an antagonistic power. The result of the eating of the tree of knowledge of good and evil is manifest in every man's experience. There is in his nature a bent to evil, a force which, unaided, he cannot resist. To withstand this force, to attain that ideal which in his inmost soul he accepts as alone worthy, he can find help in but one power. That power is Christ. Co-operation with that power is man's greatest need. In all educational effort should not this co-operation be the highest aim? Ed 29.1"
"That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world."
Ellen White directly references John 1:9 in this passage.
"The true teacher is not satisfied with second-rate work. He is not satisfied with directing his students to a standard lower than the highest which it is possible for them to attain. He cannot be content with imparting to them only technical knowledge, with making them merely clever accountants, skillful artisans, successful tradesmen. It is his ambition to inspire them with principles of truth, obedience, honor, integrity, and purity— principles that will make them a positive force for the stability and uplifting of society. He desires them, above all else, to learn life's great lesson of unselfish service. Ed 29.2"
"Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."
Matthew 5:48 calls for striving for perfection. EGW's passage echoes this by stating that a true teacher aims for the highest possible standard for their students, reflecting the principle of striving for excellence and reaching one's full potential.
"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
Both passages emphasize the importance of virtues like truth, honesty, purity, and integrity. EGW applies these principles to the role of a teacher, while Philippians 4:8 encourages general contemplation of these virtues.