"Thoroughness A solemn responsibility rests upon the ministers of Christ to do their work with thoroughness. They should lead young disciples along wisely and judiciously, step by step, onward and upward, until every essential point has been brought before them. Nothing should be kept back. But not all points of truth should be given in the first few meetings. Gradually, cautiously, his own heart imbued with the Spirit of God, the teacher should give his hearers meat in due season. GW 367"
"I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able."
EGW's instruction to give "meat in due season" to young disciples is a clear parallel to Paul's statement in 1 Corinthians 3:2 about feeding new believers with milk before solid food.
"Ministers should not feel that their work is finished until those who have accepted the theory of the truth realize indeed the influence of its sanctifying power, and are truly converted. When the word of God, as a sharp, two-edged sword, cuts its way to the heart and arouses the conscience, many suppose that this is enough; but the work is only begun. Good impressions have been made, but unless these impressions are deepened by careful, prayerful effort, Satan will counteract them. Let not the laborers rest content with what has been done. The plowshare of truth must go deeper, and this it will surely do if thorough efforts are made to direct the thoughts and establish the convictions of those who are studying the truth. GW 367.2"
"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."
The EGW passage directly references the "two-edged sword" imagery from Hebrews 4:12 in the context of the word of God's impact.
"Too often the work is left in an unfinished state, and in many such cases it amounts to nothing. Sometimes, after a company of people has accepted the truth, the minister thinks that he must immediately go to a new field; and sometimes, without proper investigation, he is authorized to go. This is wrong; he should finish the work begun; for in leaving it incomplete, more harm than good is done. No field is so unpromising as one that has been cultivated just enough to give the weeds a more luxuriant growth. By this method of labor many souls have been left to the buffeting of Satan and the opposition of members of other churches who have rejected the truth; and many are driven where they can never again be reached. A minister might better not engage in the work unless he can bind it off thoroughly. GW 367.3"
"And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."
Both passages use the metaphor of plowing and not looking back to illustrate the importance of completing a task, particularly in the context of spiritual work. The EGW passage expands on the negative consequences of leaving work unfinished, echoing the principle in Luke 9:62.