"The wide circulation of the Bible in the early part of the nineteenth century, and the great light thus shed upon the world, was not followed by a corresponding advance in knowledge of revealed truth, or in experimental religion. Satan could not, as in former ages, keep God's word from the people; it had been placed within the reach of all; but in order still to accomplish his object, he led many to value it but lightly. Men neglected to search the Scriptures, and thus they continued to accept false interpretations, and to cherish doctrines which had no foundation in the Bible. GC 298.1"
"Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me."
The EGW passage directly references the importance of searching the scriptures and laments the neglect of this practice, which directly echoes the command in John 5:39 to 'Search the scriptures.' The connection is clear and intentional.
"Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth."
Both passages address the issue of people not truly understanding or applying truth despite having access to it. The EGW passage speaks of neglecting to search the Scriptures and accepting false interpretations, while the verse in 2 Timothy speaks of 'ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.'
"Seeing the failure of his efforts to crush out the truth by persecution, Satan had again resorted to the plan of compromise which led to the great apostasy and the formation of the Church of Rome. He had induced Christians to ally themselves, not now with pagans, but with those who, by their devotion to the things of this world, had proved themselves to be as truly idolaters as were the worshipers of graven images. And the results of this union were no less pernicious now than in former ages; pride and extravagance were fostered under the guise of religion, and the churches became corrupted. Satan continued to pervert the doctrines of the Bible, and traditions that were to ruin millions were taking deep root. The church was upholding and defending these traditions, instead of contending for “the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” Thus were degraded the principles for which the Reformers had done and suffered so much. GC 298.2"
"Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?"
EGW describes the church compromising with those devoted to worldly things, leading to corruption. This strongly parallels 2 Corinthians 6:14's warning against being unequally yoked with unbelievers, highlighting the dangers of mixing righteousness with unrighteousness.