"***** Directness —Many speakers waste their time and strength in long preliminaries and excuses. Some use nearly half an hour in making apologies; thus time is wasted, and when they reach their subject and try to fasten the points of truth in the minds of their hearers, the people are wearied out and cannot see their force. GW 168.2"
"For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool’s voice is known by multitude of words."
Both passages address the issue of excessive words and their negative impact. While Ecclesiastes focuses on the fool's voice, EGW applies it to speakers who waste time with unnecessary preliminaries. The underlying principle of brevity and directness is shared.
"Instead of apologizing because he is about to address the people, the minister should begin as if he knew that he was bearing a message from God. He should make the essential points of truth as distinct as mile-posts, so that the people cannot fail to see them. GW 168.3"
"Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God."
EGW's instruction for ministers to speak with authority as if bearing a message from God aligns with the concept of being an ambassador for Christ in 2 Corinthians 5:20. Both emphasize the role of representing God.
"Time is frequently lost in explaining points which are really unimportant, and which would be taken for granted without producing proofs. But the vital points should be made as plain and forcible as language and proof can make them. GW 168.4"
"And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:"
Both passages address effective communication. EGW advises focusing on vital points with clarity, while 1 Corinthians 2:4 speaks of preaching with the demonstration of the Spirit and power, rather than relying on persuasive human wisdom.