2 Corinthians 3:5
Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;
Original Language Analysis
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
2 of 18
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ἱκανοί
sufficient
G2425
ἱκανοί
sufficient
Strong's:
G2425
Word #:
3 of 18
competent (as if coming in season), i.e., ample (in amount) or fit (in character)
ἀφ'
of
G575
ἀφ'
of
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
5 of 18
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
ἑαυτῶν
ourselves
G1438
ἑαυτῶν
ourselves
Strong's:
G1438
Word #:
6 of 18
(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc
λογίσασθαί
to think
G3049
λογίσασθαί
to think
Strong's:
G3049
Word #:
7 of 18
to take an inventory, i.e., estimate (literally or figuratively)
ὡς
as
G5613
ὡς
as
Strong's:
G5613
Word #:
9 of 18
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
ἐκ
is of
G1537
ἐκ
is of
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
10 of 18
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
ἑαυτῶν
ourselves
G1438
ἑαυτῶν
ourselves
Strong's:
G1438
Word #:
11 of 18
(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc
ἀλλ'
but
G235
ἀλλ'
but
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
12 of 18
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐκ
is of
G1537
ἐκ
is of
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
16 of 18
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
Cross References
2 Corinthians 12:9And 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.Philippians 4:13I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.1 Corinthians 15:10But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.John 15:5I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.Philippians 2:13For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.James 1:17Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.1 Corinthians 3:6I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.Luke 21:15For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.2 Corinthians 4:7But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.1 Corinthians 3:10According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
Historical Context
Paul's radical dependence on God stood in stark contrast to Greco-Roman philosophies that emphasized human self-sufficiency (autarkeia). Stoic philosophers, for example, taught that the wise man should be completely self-sufficient, unaffected by external circumstances. Even Jewish thought could emphasize human ability to keep the law. Paul's gospel dismantles all human self-reliance, grounding Christian ministry entirely in God's enabling grace. This was not weakness but theological clarity about the source of all spiritual power.
Questions for Reflection
- In what areas of your life or ministry are you tempted to rely on your own sufficiency rather than God's?
- How does the truth that you cannot even "think" a spiritually useful thought apart from God humble and liberate you?
- What would change in your daily life if you truly believed that all your adequacy comes from God alone?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; Paul immediately clarifies verse 4 lest anyone misunderstand his confidence as self-confidence. The Greek hikanoi (ἱκανοί, "sufficient" or "adequate") appears three times in verses 5-6, emphasizing a central theme: all competence for ministry comes from God alone. The phrase of ourselves appears twice for emphasis—aph' heautōn (ἀφ' ἑαυτῶν, "from ourselves") and ex heautōn (ἐξ ἑαυτῶν, "out of ourselves").
To think any thing as of ourselves uses logisasthai ti (λογίσασθαί τι, "to reckon" or "consider"). Paul cannot even think a useful thought on his own—a radical statement of divine dependence. The contrast is absolute: zero sufficiency from self, complete sufficiency from God. This echoes Jesus' words: "Without me ye can do nothing" (John 15:5). The term hikanotēs (ἱκανότης, "sufficiency" or "adequacy") in our sufficiency is of God points to God as the sole source of ministerial competence.