2 Corinthians 3:5
WEB
not that we are sufficient of ourselves to account anything as from ourselves; but our sufficiency is from God,
BSB
Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim that anything comes from us, but our competence comes from God.
KJV
Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;
Matthew Henry
Greek interlinear
G3756
+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but
, also (before a vowel) οὐκ , and (before an aspirate) οὐχ
Derivation: a primary word;
the absolute negative (compare G3361) adverb; no or not
KJV: + long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but.
See also G3364, G3372.
See also: G3361, G3364, G3372.
G3754
as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why
Derivation: neuter of G3748 as conjunction;
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
KJV: as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why.
See also: G3748.
G575
(X here-)after, ago, at, because of, before, by (the space of), for(-th), from, in, (out) of, off, (up-)on(-ce), since, with
Derivation: a primary particle;
"off," i.e. away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
KJV: (X here-)after, ago, at, because of, before, by (the space of), for(-th), from, in, (out) of, off, (up-)on(-ce), since, with.
In composition (as a prefix) it usually denotes separation, departure, cessation, completion, reversal, etc.
G1438
alone, her (own, -self), (he) himself, his (own), itself, one (to) another, our (thine) own(-selves), + that she had, their (own, own selves), (of) them(-selves), they, thyself, you, your (own, own conceits, own selves, -selves)
Derivation: from a reflexive pronoun otherwise obsolete and the genitive case (dative case or accusative case) of G846;
him- (her-, it-, them-, also (in conjunction with the personal pronoun of the other persons) my-, thy-, our-, your-) self (selves), etc.
KJV: alone, her (own, -self), (he) himself, his (own), itself, one (to) another, our (thine) own(-selves), + that she had, their (own, own selves), (of) them(-selves), they, thyself, you, your (own, own conceits, own selves, -selves).
See also: G846.
G2425
able, + content, enough, good, great, large, long (while), many, meet, much, security, sore, sufficient, worthy
Derivation: from ἵκω (ἱκάνω or ἱκνέομαι, akin to G2240) (to arrive);
competent (as if coming in season), i.e. ample (in amount) or fit (in character)
KJV: able, + content, enough, good, great, large, long (while), many, meet, much, security, sore, sufficient, worthy.
See also: G2240.
G1510
am, have been, X it is I, was
Derivation: the first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb;
I exist (used only when emphatic)
KJV: am, have been, X it is I, was.
See also G1488, G1498, G1511, G1527, G2258, G2071, G2070, G2075, G2076, G2771, G2468, G5600.
See also: G1488, G1498, G1511, G1527, G2258, G2071, G2070, G2075, G2076, G2771, G2468, G5600.
G3049
conclude, (ac-)count (of), + despise, esteem, impute, lay, number, reason, reckon, suppose, think (on)
Derivation: middle voice from G3056;
to take an inventory, i.e. estimate (literally or figuratively)
KJV: conclude, (ac-)count (of), + despise, esteem, impute, lay, number, reason, reckon, suppose, think (on).
See also: G3056.
G5100
a (kind of), any (man, thing, thing at all), certain (thing), divers, he (every) man, one (X thing), ought, + partly, some (man, -body, - thing, -what), (+ that no-)thing, what(-soever), X wherewith, whom(-soever), whose(-soever)
Derivation: an enclitic indefinite pronoun;
some or any person or object
KJV: a (kind of), any (man, thing, thing at all), certain (thing), divers, he (every) man, one (X thing), ought, + partly, some (man, -body, - thing, -what), (+ that no-)thing, what(-soever), X wherewith, whom(-soever), whose(-soever).
G5613
about, after (that), (according) as (it had been, it were), as soon (as), even as (like), for, how (greatly), like (as, unto), since, so (that), that, to wit, unto, when(-soever), while, X with all speed
Derivation: probably adverb of comparative from G3739;
which how, i.e. in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
KJV: about, after (that), (according) as (it had been, it were), as soon (as), even as (like), for, how (greatly), like (as, unto), since, so (that), that, to wit, unto, when(-soever), while, X with all speed.
See also: G3739.
G1537
after, among, X are, at, betwixt(-yond), by (the means of), exceedingly, (+ abundantly above), for(- th), from (among, forth, up), + grudgingly, + heartily, X heavenly, X hereby, + very highly, in, …ly, (because, by reason) of, off (from), on, out among (from, of), over, since, X thenceforth, through, X unto, X vehemently, with(-out)
or ἐξ
Derivation: a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause;
literal or figurative; direct or remote)
KJV: after, among, X are, at, betwixt(-yond), by (the means of), exceedingly, (+ abundantly above), for(- th), from (among, forth, up), + grudgingly, + heartily, X heavenly, X hereby, + very highly, in, …ly, (because, by reason) of, off (from), on, out among (from, of), over, since, X thenceforth, through, X unto, X vehemently, with(-out).
Often used in composition, with the same general import; often of completion.
G235
and, but (even), howbeit, indeed, nay, nevertheless, no, notwithstanding, save, therefore, yea, yet
Derivation: neuter plural of G243;
properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
KJV: and, but (even), howbeit, indeed, nay, nevertheless, no, notwithstanding, save, therefore, yea, yet.
See also: G243.
G3588
the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc
, including the feminine ἡ , and the neuter τό in all their inflections;
Derivation: the definite article;
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
G2426
sufficiency
Derivation: from G2425;
ability
KJV: sufficiency.
See also: G2425.
G1473
I, me
Derivation: a primary pronoun of the first person I (only expressed when emphatic)
KJV: I, me.
For the other cases and the plural see G1691, G1698, G1700, G2248, G2249, G2254, G2257, etc.
See also: G1691, G1698, G1700, G2248, G2249, G2254, G2257.
G2316
X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward)
Derivation: of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with G3588) the supreme Divinity;
figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very
KJV: X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).
See also: G3588.
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Verses 1–5
2 Corinthians 3:1–5
In these verses,
I. The apostle makes an apology for seeming to commend himself. He thought it convenient to protest his sincerity to them, because there were some at Corinth who endeavoured to blast his reputation; yet he was not desirous of vain-glory. And he tells them, 1. That he neither needed nor desired any verbal commendation to them, nor letters testimonial from them, as some others did, meaning the false apostles or teachers, Co2 3:1. His ministry among them had, without controversy, been truly great and honourable, how little soever his person was in reality, or how contemptible soever some would have him thought to be. 2. The Corinthians themselves were his real commendation, and a good testimonial for him, that God was with him of a truth, that he was sent of God: You are our epistle, Co2 3:2. This was the testimonial he most delighted in, and what was most dear to him - they were written in his heart; and this he could appeal to upon occasion, for it was, or might be, known and read of all men. Note, There is nothing more delightful to faithful ministers, nor more to their commendation, than the success of their ministry, evidenced in the hearts and lives of those among whom they labour.
II. The apostle is careful not to assume too much to himself, but to ascribe all the praise to God. Therefore, 1. He says they were the epistle of Christ, Co2 3:3. The apostle and others were but instruments, Christ was the author of all the good that was in them. The law of Christ was written in their hearts, and the love of Christ shed abroad in their hearts. This epistle was not written with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; nor was it written in tables of stone, as the law of God given to Moses, but on the heart; and that heart not a stony one, but a heart of flesh, upon the fleshy (not fleshly, as fleshliness denotes sensuality) tables of the heart, that is, upon hearts that are softened and renewed by divine grace, according to that gracious promise, I will take away the stony heart, and I will give you a heart of flesh, Eze 36:26. This was the good hope the apostle had concerning these Corinthians (Co2 3:4) that their hearts were like the ark of the covenant, containing the tables of the law and the gospel, written with the finger, that is, by the Spirit, of the living God. 2. He utterly disclaims the taking of any praise to themselves, and ascribes all the glory to God: "We are not sufficient of ourselves, Co2 3:5. We could never have made such good impressions on your hearts, nor upon our own. Such are our weakness and inability that we cannot of ourselves think a good thought, much less raise any good thoughts or affections in other men. All our sufficiency is of God; to him therefore are owing all the praise and glory of that good which is done, and from him we must receive grace and strength to do more." This is true concerning ministers and all Christians; the best are no more than what the grace of God makes them. Our hands are not sufficient for us, but our sufficiency is of God; and his grace is sufficient for us, to furnish us for every good word and work.
Cross-references: 2Cor 3:1 · 2Cor 3:2 · 2Cor 3:3 · Ezek 36:26 · 2Cor 3:4 · 2Cor 3:5