2 Corinthians 3:5

5 Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.

2 Corinthians 3:5 in Other Translations

KJV
5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;
ESV
5 Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God,
NLT
5 It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualification comes from God.
MSG
5 We wouldn't think of writing this kind of letter about ourselves. Only God can write such a letter.
CSB
5 not that we are competent in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our competence is from God.

2 Corinthians 3:5 Meaning and Commentary

2 Corinthians 3:5

Not that we are sufficient of ourselves
Though we are sufficient for this work to which God has called us, and have such trust and confidence that he has blessed and owned us, and done such great things by us; yet we do not ascribe anything to ourselves, to any power of ours, to any self-sufficiency in us: for "we are not sufficient of ourselves" neither for the work of the ministry, nor for the conversion of sinners, nor for faith and hope in God, nor for any spiritual work whatever; not even to think anything as of ourselves; any good thing, either for our own use and benefit, or for the advantage of others; we are not able of ourselves to meditate with judgment and affection upon the word of God, to study the Scriptures, to collect from them things fit for the ministry; and much less with freedom and boldness to speak of them to edification; and still less able to impress them upon the heart: for though you who are the epistle of Christ are ministered by us, yet not by any power and self-sufficiency of ours;

but our sufficiency is of God;
to think, to speak, and to act for his glory.

2 Corinthians 3:5 In-Context

3 You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.
4 Such confidence we have through Christ before God.
5 Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.
6 He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
7 Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, transitory though it was,

Related Articles

Cross References 2

  • 1. 2 Corinthians 2:16
  • 2. 1 Corinthians 15:10
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