"How striking the contrast between the overbearing pride of this haughty pontiff and the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who represents Himself as pleading at the door of the heart for admittance, that He may come in to bring pardon and peace, and who taught His disciples: “Whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant.” Matthew 20:27 . GC 58.1"
"And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:"
Ellen White directly references Matthew 20:27 in this passage.
"Rome established the invocation of saints and the adoration of the Virgin Mary. From this sprang also the heresy of eternal torment for the finally impenitent, which was early incorporated into the papal faith. GC 58.2"
"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;"
Both passages address the introduction of false doctrines into the church. EGW specifically mentions the invocation of saints, adoration of Mary, and eternal torment, while 1 Timothy 4:1 speaks more broadly about "doctrines of devils." The connection lies in the shared theme of departing from the true faith by embracing heretical teachings.
"Then the way was prepared for the introduction of still another invention of paganism, which Rome named purgatory, and employed to terrify the credulous and superstitious multitudes. By this heresy is affirmed the existence of a place of torment, in which the souls of such as have not merited eternal damnation are to suffer punishment for their sins, and from which, when freed from impurity, they are admitted to heaven. (See Appendix .) GC 58.3"
"But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men."
EGW condemns the doctrine of purgatory as a man-made invention, which aligns with the principle in Matthew 15:9 that warns against teaching human commandments as doctrines.