American Standard Version
2 Corinthians 3:5
5not that we are sufficient of ourselves, to account anything as from ourselves; but our sufficiency is from God;
2 Corinthians 3:5 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;
- New International Version (NIV)Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God,
- New King James Version (NKJV)Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God,
Context of 2 Corinthians 3:5
3being made manifest that ye are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in tables that are hearts of flesh. 4And such confidence have we through Christ to God-ward: not that we are sufficient of ourselves, to account anything as from ourselves; but our sufficiency is from God; 6who also made us sufficient as ministers of a new covenant; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. 7But if the ministration of death, written, and engraven on stones, came with glory, so that the children of Israel could not look stedfastly upon the face of Moses for the glory of his face; which glory was passing away:
Read all of 2 Corinthians 32 Corinthians 3:5 word by word
οὐχ ὅτι ἀφ᾽ ἑαυτῶν ἱκανοί ἐσμεν λογίσασθαί τι ὡς ἐξ ἑαυτῶν, ἀλλ᾽ ἡ ἱκανότης ἡμῶν ἐκ τοῦ θεοῦ,Read the interlinear
Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 3:5
- 2 Corinthians 2:16to the one a savor from death unto death; to the other a savor from life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?
- 2 Corinthians 4:7But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God, and not from ourselves;
- Exodus 4:10And Moses said unto Jehovah, Oh, Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant; for I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.
- John 15:5I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same beareth much fruit: for apart from me ye can do nothing.
- 2 Corinthians 12:9And he hath said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my power is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
- Exodus 4:11And Jehovah said unto him, Who hath made man’s mouth? or who maketh a man dumb, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? is it not I, Jehovah?
- Jeremiah 1:6Then said I, Ah, Lord Jehovah! behold, I know not how to speak; for I am a child.
- Matthew 10:19But when they deliver you up, be not anxious how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that hour what ye shall speak.
- Luke 21:15for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to withstand or to gainsay.
- Luke 24:49And behold, I send forth the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city, until ye be clothed with power from on high.
- 1 Corinthians 3:6I planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
- 1 Corinthians 15:10But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not found vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
- Philippians 2:13for it is God who worketh in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure.
- Philippians 4:13I can do all things in him that strengtheneth me.
- James 1:17Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, neither shadow that is cast by turning.
Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 3:5
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 5Not that we are sufficient of ourselves - We do not arrogate to ourselves any power to enlighten the mind or change the heart, we are only instruments in the hand of God. Nor was it possible for us apostles to think, to invent, such a scheme of salvation as is the Gospel; and if we even had been equal to the invention, how could we have fulfilled such promises as this scheme of salvation abounds with? God alone could fulfill these promises, and he fulfils…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 5Not that we are sufficient of ourselves - This is evidently designed to guard against the appearance of boasting, or of self-confidence. He had spoken of his confidence; of his triumph; of his success; of his undoubted evidence that God had sent him. He here says, that he did not mean to be understood as affirming that any of his success came from himself, or that he was able by his own strength to accomplish the great things which had been effected by…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 4-6The old written covenant refers to the law of Moses as interpreted by Jewish rabbis. It results in death for those who see it as a path to salvation. The law is good (Romans 7:12–14), but those who try to earn merit through it fail. Earning merit through the law leads to either wrongdoing or pride. In both cases, the law brings condemnation (2 Corinthians 3:9).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 55. The Greek is, "Not that we are (even yet after so long experience as ministers) sufficient to think anything OF ourselves as (coming) FROM ourselves; but our sufficiency is (derived) FROM God." "From" more definitely refers to the source out of which a thing comes; "of" is more general. to think--Greek, to "reason out" or "devise"; to attain to sound preaching by our reasonings [Theodoret]. The "we" refers here to ministers (2Pe 1:21). anything--even…Read the comment
Topics related to 2 Corinthians 3:5
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 3
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
American Standard Version — 1901 — Public Domain
Commentaries