2 Corinthians 3:5
New International Version
Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.

New Living Translation
It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualification comes from God.

English Standard Version
Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God,

Berean Standard Bible
Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim that anything comes from us, but our competence comes from God.

Berean Literal Bible
Not that we are sufficient from ourselves to reckon anything as of ourselves, but our sufficiency is of God,

King James Bible
Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;

New King James Version
Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God,

New American Standard Bible
Not that we are adequate in ourselves so as to consider anything as having come from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God,

NASB 1995
Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God,

NASB 1977
Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God,

Legacy Standard Bible
Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God,

Amplified Bible
Not that we are sufficiently qualified in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency and qualifications come from God.

Christian Standard Bible
It is not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
It is not that we are competent in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our competence is from God.

American Standard Version
not that we are sufficient of ourselves, to account anything as from ourselves; but our sufficiency is from God;

Contemporary English Version
We don't have the right to claim that we have done anything on our own. God gives us what it takes to do all we do.

English Revised Version
not that we are sufficient of ourselves, to account anything as from ourselves; but our sufficiency is from God;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
By ourselves we are not qualified in any way to claim that we can do anything. Rather, God makes us qualified.

Good News Translation
There is nothing in us that allows us to claim that we are capable of doing this work. The capacity we have comes from God;

International Standard Version
By ourselves we are not qualified to claim that anything comes from us. Rather, our credentials come from God,

Majority Standard Bible
Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim that anything comes from us, but our competence comes from God.

NET Bible
Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as if it were coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God,

New Heart English Bible
not that we are sufficient of ourselves, to account anything as from ourselves; but our sufficiency is from God;

Webster's Bible Translation
Not that we are sufficient by ourselves to think any thing as from ourselves; but our sufficiency is from God;

Weymouth New Testament
not that of ourselves we are competent to decide anything by our own reasonings, but our competency comes from God.

World English Bible
not that we are sufficient of ourselves to account anything as from ourselves; but our sufficiency is from God,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything, as of ourselves, but our sufficiency [is] of God,

Berean Literal Bible
Not that we are sufficient from ourselves to reckon anything as of ourselves, but our sufficiency is of God,

Young's Literal Translation
not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything, as of ourselves, but our sufficiency is of God,

Smith's Literal Translation
Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to reckon anything as of ourselves; but our sufficiency of God;
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Not that we are sufficient to think any thing of ourselves, as of ourselves: but our sufficiency is from God.

Catholic Public Domain Version
It is not that we are adequate to think anything of ourselves, as if anything was from us. But our adequacy is from God.

New American Bible
Not that of ourselves we are qualified to take credit for anything as coming from us; rather, our qualification comes from God,

New Revised Standard Version
Not that we are competent of ourselves to claim anything as coming from us; our competence is from God,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves; but our strength comes from God,

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Not that we are sufficient to think anything as from ourselves, but our power is from God,
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
not that we are able, of ourselves, to devise any thing, as from ourselves; but our ability is from God,

Godbey New Testament
not that we are able of ourselves to think anything as from ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;

Haweis New Testament
not that we are sufficient of ourselves to account any thing of ourselves, but our sufficiency is of God.

Mace New Testament
not that I am sufficient of myself to effect any thing by the strength of my own reason: but my sufficiency is from God.

Weymouth New Testament
not that of ourselves we are competent to decide anything by our own reasonings, but our competency comes from God.

Worrell New Testament
not that we are sufficient of ourselves to reckon anything as from ourselves, but our sufficiency is of God;

Worsley New Testament
not that we can of ourselves reckon upon any thing as from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Ministers of a New Covenant
4Such confidence before God is ours through Christ. 5Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim that anything comes from us, but our competence comes from God. 6And He has qualified us as ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.…

Cross References
Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.

John 15:5
I am the vine and you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing.

1 Corinthians 15:10
But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace to me was not in vain. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.

Ephesians 3:7
I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace, given me through the working of His power.

Romans 15:18
I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obedience by word and deed,

1 Corinthians 3:6-7
I planted the seed and Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. / So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.

Colossians 1:29
To this end I also labor, striving with all His energy working powerfully within me.

1 Peter 4:11
If anyone speaks, he should speak as one conveying the words of God. If anyone serves, he should serve with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.

Galatians 2:8
For the One who was at work in Peter’s apostleship to the circumcised was also at work in my apostleship to the Gentiles.

1 Timothy 1:12
I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, that He considered me faithful and appointed me to service.

Exodus 4:10-12
“Please, Lord,” Moses replied, “I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since You have spoken to Your servant, for I am slow of speech and tongue.” / And the LORD said to him, “Who gave man his mouth? Or who makes the mute or the deaf, the sighted or the blind? Is it not I, the LORD? / Now go! I will help you as you speak, and I will teach you what to say.”

Jeremiah 1:6-9
“Ah, Lord GOD,” I said, “I surely do not know how to speak, for I am only a child!” / But the LORD told me: “Do not say, ‘I am only a child.’ For to everyone I send you, you must go, and all that I command you, you must speak. / Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you,” declares the LORD. ...

Isaiah 41:10
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

Psalm 121:1-2
A song of ascents. I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? / My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.

Psalm 127:1
A song of ascents. Of Solomon. Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain; unless the LORD protects the city, its watchmen stand guard in vain.


Treasury of Scripture

Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;

that.

2 Corinthians 2:16
To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?

2 Corinthians 4:7
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

Exodus 4:10
And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.

but.

2 Corinthians 12:9
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Exodus 4:11-16
And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD? …

Jeremiah 1:6-10
Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child…

Jump to Previous
Able Account Adequate Claim Competent Consider Credit Decide Ourselves Power Reasonings Sufficiency Sufficient Think
Jump to Next
Able Account Adequate Claim Competent Consider Credit Decide Ourselves Power Reasonings Sufficiency Sufficient Think
2 Corinthians 3
1. Lest their false teachers should charge him with vain glory,
2. he shows the faith of the Corinthians to be a sufficient commendation of his ministry.
6. Whereupon entering a comparison between the ministers of the law and of the gospel,
12. he proves that his ministry is so far the more excellent,
17. as the gospel of life and liberty is more glorious than the law of condemnation.














Not that we are competent in ourselves
This phrase emphasizes human insufficiency and the recognition that, in our own strength, we are inadequate. The Greek word for "competent" is "hikanos," which conveys the idea of being sufficient or qualified. Historically, the Apostle Paul faced challenges from those who questioned his authority and capability as an apostle. By stating this, Paul humbly acknowledges that any ability or sufficiency he possesses is not inherent but rather granted by a higher power. This humility is a cornerstone of Christian teaching, reminding believers that self-reliance is limited and that true capability is divinely sourced.

to claim that anything comes from us
Here, Paul continues to stress the idea that nothing of spiritual or eternal value originates from human effort alone. The Greek word "logizomai," translated as "claim," means to reckon or consider. This suggests a thoughtful acknowledgment that human achievements, especially in ministry, are not self-generated. In the broader scriptural context, this aligns with the biblical theme that all good things come from God (James 1:17). Historically, this was a counter to the self-aggrandizing tendencies of some leaders in the Corinthian church, who boasted of their own wisdom and abilities.

but our competence comes from God
This phrase shifts the focus from human inadequacy to divine empowerment. The Greek word "hikanotēs," translated as "competence," is closely related to "hikanos" and underscores the sufficiency that God provides. Paul attributes his ability to minister and lead not to his own skills or education but to the grace and empowerment of God. This reflects a key tenet of Christian doctrine: that God equips those He calls. Theologically, this is a reminder of the Holy Spirit's role in enabling believers to fulfill their God-given purposes. Historically, this would have been a powerful statement to the Corinthian church, which was situated in a culture that highly valued personal achievement and status. Paul redirects their focus to the source of true strength and capability, which is God alone.

(5) Not that we are sufficient . . .--He had not used the word "sufficient" of himself, but it was clearly the implied answer to the question, "Who is sufficient for these things?" In the Greek there are two different prepositions for the one "of" in English. "Not as though we are sufficient of ourselves to form any estimate as originating with ourselves," would be a fair paraphrase. The habit of mind which led St. Paul to emphasise the shades of meaning in Greek prepositions to an extent hardly to be expressed in English, and not commonly recognised, it may be, in colloquial Greek, is seen again in Romans 11:36.

Is of God.--The preposition is the same as in the second of the two previous clauses. The sufficiency flows from God as its source: originates with him.

Verse 5. - Not that we are sufficient of ourselves. He here reverts to the question asked in 2 Corinthians 2:16. He cannot bear the implication that any "confidence" on his part rests on anything short of the overwhelming sense that he is but an agent, or rather nothing but an instrument, in the hands of God. To think anything as of ourselves. He has, indeed, the capacity to form adequate judgments about his work, but it does not come from his own resources (ἀφ ἑαυτῶν) or his own independent origination (ἐξ ἑαυτῶν); comp. 1 Corinthians 15:10. But our sufficiency. Namely, to form any true or right judgment, and therefore to express the confidence which I have expressed. Is of God. We are but fellow workers with him (1 Corinthians 3:19).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Not
οὐχ (ouch)
Adverb
Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.

that
ὅτι (hoti)
Conjunction
Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.

we are
ἐσμεν (esmen)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

competent
ἱκανοί (hikanoi)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2425: From hiko; competent, i.e. Ample or fit.

in
ἀφ’ (aph’)
Preposition
Strong's 575: From, away from. A primary particle; 'off, ' i.e. Away, in various senses.

ourselves
ἑαυτῶν (heautōn)
Reflexive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1438: Himself, herself, itself.

to claim that
λογίσασθαί (logisasthai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Middle
Strong's 3049: To reckon, count, charge with; reason, decide, conclude; think, suppose.

anything
τι (ti)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5100: Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.

[comes]
ὡς (hōs)
Adverb
Strong's 5613: Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.

from
ἐξ (ex)
Preposition
Strong's 1537: From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.

us,
ἑαυτῶν (heautōn)
Reflexive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1438: Himself, herself, itself.

but
ἀλλ’ (all’)
Conjunction
Strong's 235: But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.

our
ἡμῶν (hēmōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

competence
ἱκανότης (hikanotēs)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2426: Sufficiency, ability, power, fitness. From hikanos; ability.

[comes] from
ἐκ (ek)
Preposition
Strong's 1537: From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.

God.
Θεοῦ (Theou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.


Links
2 Corinthians 3:5 NIV
2 Corinthians 3:5 NLT
2 Corinthians 3:5 ESV
2 Corinthians 3:5 NASB
2 Corinthians 3:5 KJV

2 Corinthians 3:5 BibleApps.com
2 Corinthians 3:5 Biblia Paralela
2 Corinthians 3:5 Chinese Bible
2 Corinthians 3:5 French Bible
2 Corinthians 3:5 Catholic Bible

NT Letters: 2 Corinthians 3:5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves (2 Cor. 2C iiC 2Cor ii cor iicor)
2 Corinthians 3:4
Top of Page
Top of Page