King James Version

What Does 2 Corinthians 3:5 Mean?

2 Corinthians 3:5 in the King James Version says “Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;” — study this verse from 2 Corinthians chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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

2 Corinthians 3:5 · KJV

Context

3

Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the 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 fleshy tables of the heart.

4

And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward:

5

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

6

Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. giveth life: or, quickeneth

7

But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious , so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away:

Read 2 Corinthians 3 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study 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.

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Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. In what areas of your life or ministry are you tempted to rely on your own sufficiency rather than God's?
  2. How does the truth that you cannot even "think" a spiritually useful thought apart from God humble and liberate you?
  3. What would change in your daily life if you truly believed that all your adequacy comes from God alone?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 18 words
οὐχ1 of 18

“Not”

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

ὅτι2 of 18

“that”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

ἱκανοί3 of 18

“sufficient”

G2425

competent (as if coming in season), i.e., ample (in amount) or fit (in character)

ἐσμεν4 of 18

“we are”

G2070

we are

ἀφ'5 of 18

“of”

G575

"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)

ἑαυτῶν6 of 18

“ourselves”

G1438

(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc

λογίσασθαί7 of 18

“to think”

G3049

to take an inventory, i.e., estimate (literally or figuratively)

τι8 of 18

“any thing”

G5100

some or any person or object

ὡς9 of 18

“as”

G5613

which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)

ἐκ10 of 18

“is of”

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

ἑαυτῶν11 of 18

“ourselves”

G1438

(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc

ἀλλ'12 of 18

“but”

G235

properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)

ἡ13 of 18
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἱκανότης14 of 18

“sufficiency”

G2426

ability

ἡμῶν15 of 18

“our”

G2257

of (or from) us

ἐκ16 of 18

“is of”

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

τοῦ17 of 18
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεοῦ18 of 18

“God”

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Corinthians. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Corinthians 3:5 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Corinthians 3:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Corinthians 12:9Philippians 4:131 Corinthians 15:10Philippians 2:13John 15:5James 1:17

Test Your Knowledge

2 Corinthians 3 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter2 Corinthians Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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