The verse 2 Corinthians 3:5 states “Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God.” This verse points to the important biblical truth that any good thing we accomplish ultimately comes from God working through us, not from our own natural abilities or merits. Let’s explore the meaning and implications of this verse more fully.
The Context of 2 Corinthians 3:5
To properly understand this verse, we first need to look at the context of the passage it appears in. In 2 Corinthians 3, Paul is defending his ministry against those who were questioning his credentials and motivations. False teachers were attacking Paul’s legitimacy as an apostle of Christ. In response, Paul explains that he needs no letters of recommendation because the Corinthian believers themselves are a letter of recommendation written on his heart (2 Corinthians 3:1-3).
Paul goes on to contrast the glory of the old covenant of law with the far greater glory of the new covenant in Christ. The old covenant, with its written code engraved on stone tablets, brought condemnation and death. But the new covenant, written by the Spirit on human hearts, brings righteousness and life (2 Corinthians 3:4-11). Paul’s ministry is centered on this greater covenant of grace.
It’s in this context that Paul states in verse 5 that his sufficiency and credentials for ministry are not from himself, but are from God alone. Paul is countering the questioning of his qualifications and explaining the true source of his competency for ministry.
The Meaning of Our Sufficiency is From God
When Paul says “our sufficiency is from God,” he is acknowledging that anything good, right, or successful in his ministry does not originate from his own natural talents or abilities. There is nothing inherent in Paul that qualifies him to be an apostle or minister of the gospel.
Rather, it is only by God’s grace, power and equipping that Paul can carry out the ministry God has called him to. Every good thing Paul accomplishes in ministry is accomplished through God’s strength working in and through him (c.f. 1 Corinthians 15:10, Philippians 4:13). Paul cannot claim any glory or take any credit for the fruitfulness of his labor – the credit belongs to God alone.
This truth applies not only to Paul but to all believers. As Jesus declared, “apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). Any virtue, obedience, ministry, or fruitfulness we experience as Christians is only possible through the power of Christ in us. Our sufficiency for living the Christian life comes from God’s empowering grace, not our own merits or abilities.
We Are Dependent on God’s Grace
This verse reminds us that we are dependent on God’s grace for everything pertaining to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). On our own, we are insufficient and incompetent to accomplish anything of eternal value. We do not have what it takes in our natural strength to be faithful disciples or fruitful ministers. But the good news is that in Christ, our weakness is perfected by God’s strength (2 Corinthians 12:9).
2 Corinthians 3:5 is a rebuke to human pride and self-reliance. We often think we are sufficient in ourselves – that we can live the Christian life through our own discipline, skill or determination. But Scripture makes it clear that only by relying on Christ’s power and grace can we bear spiritual fruit. As Jesus emphasized, “Without me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). Our sufficiency is from God alone.
God Gets the Glory
This truth – that our competency for ministry is from God – means that God rightfully receives all the praise and glory for any fruitfulness or effectiveness of our labors. If it were up to our own wisdom, strength and talent, we would accomplish nothing eternally worthwhile. But God in His grace chooses to work through weak earthen vessels like us (2 Corinthians 4:7). So He alone deserves all the credit and honor for what is achieved through our feeble efforts.
The right response to this truth is humility, thankfulness and worship towards God. We should not think more highly of ourselves than we ought to think (Romans 12:3). We must humbly acknowledge that “neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth” (1 Corinthians 3:7). Ministry is about exalting Christ, not ourselves. Our desire should be that Christ increases and we decrease (John 3:30).
Relying on God’s Strength
If our competency is from God, then it follows that we must rely fully on His strength to minister effectively. We are called to serve in weakness and dependence, not self-sufficiency. As Paul discovered, God’s power is perfected in human weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). The key is drawing strength from divine grace, not self-effort. As Paul testified, “I labor, striving with all his energy, which mightily works within me” (Colossians 1:29).
This has implications for how we approach ministry. It means humility, prayerfulness, and full reliance on the Holy Spirit’s empowerment. It means putting to death human pride and self-reliance. It means centering our lives and ministries on the cross – recognizing that we are sufficient only in Christ’s sufficiency. As we rely prayerfully on God’s grace at work in us, He will bear fruit through our feeble labors.
Examples From Scripture
The truth that our competency is from God alone is seen throughout Scripture. For example, when God called Moses to deliver Israel from Egypt, Moses felt completely inadequate for the task. But God assured him, “I will be with you” (Exodus 3:12). It was God’s presence and power with Moses that made him sufficient for the mission. When Moses tried to serve in his own strength, he failed miserably (Exodus 2:11-15). His sufficiency was from God alone.
Gideon is another example. When God called Gideon to rescue Israel from the Midianites, Gideon’s response revealed his self-perception of inadequacy and weakness (Judges 6:15). Yet God told Gideon, “Go in this might of yours…have I not sent you?” (Judges 6:14). Gideon’s sufficiency was from God’s calling and the strength God gave him. In his own power, he accomplished nothing.
We see the same pattern with the disciples. Uneducated common men like Peter and John were empowered by the Spirit to turn the world upside down through their preaching (Acts 4:13). As with Paul, their sufficiency for ministry came from God equipping them for His service.
Instructions for Ministry
This principle – that our competency is from God alone – provides some helpful instructions for how we should approach Christian life and ministry:
- Rely fully on God’s strength, not your own.
- Stay humble, prayerful and dependent on God’s grace.
- Give God all the glory for any fruitfulness or impact.
- Minister in weakness and transparency to showcase God’s power.
- Boast only in the cross and what God does through you.
- Be faithful and available to let God work through your yielded life.
As we embrace the wonderful truth that our sufficiency is from God alone, He will lift our labors and bear fruit through them for His glory.
Application for the Christian Life
Although 2 Corinthians 3:5 deals specifically with Paul’s competency for ministry, the principle applies broadly to the whole Christian life. As believers, our sufficiency for following Christ comes from God’s grace and strength at work within us.
In our own power, we cannot consistently obey Christ’s commands, resist temptation, endure trials, share our faith, love others, or produce spiritual fruit like patience, kindness and joy. We simply do not have it within us to live the Christian life in a way that honors God.
Thankfully, the Spirit empowers us to walk in a manner worthy of our calling in Christ (Ephesians 4:1). As Paul says, “it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13). Jesus emphasized this by saying “without me you can do nothing” (John 15:5) – but with Him, all things are possible.
The implications are clear: we must rely fully on God’s grace to live the Christian life, while giving Him all the credit, honor and glory for any righteousness or fruitfulness we exhibit. Our sufficiency is from Christ alone – and for that we can be truly grateful!
Objections and Discussion Points
Some objections could potentially be raised to the truths explored in this passage. Here are some points of discussion:
- Does this negate human responsibility? No, the Bible is clear we must be disciplined and diligent, while recognizing our reliance on God’s grace.
- What about giftedness? Our talents are ultimately from God, and still must be used in dependence on Him.
- Doesn’t this breed passivity? No, it breeds prayerfulness and humility combined with Spirit-led action.
- Didn’t Paul plant and Apollos water the Corinthians? Yes, and Paul says only God gives the growth (1 Cor 3:6-7) – the credit goes to Him.
- What about commands to serve in our own strength? We serve in the strength that God supplies (1 Peter 4:11).
While objections may arise, the overall testimony of Scripture upholds the vital principle that our competency for the Christian life is grounded in God’s grace alone.
Summary of Key Points
In summary, here are some key points to understand from 2 Corinthians 3:5:
- Our sufficiency for life and ministry comes from God’s grace.
- We are dependent on Christ’s power to accomplish anything eternally worthwhile.
- God deserves all the glory for fruitfulness in our labors.
- We must rely fully on the Spirit’s strength, not self-effort.
- This truth fosters humility, prayer and worship.
- Our competency is in Christ’s sufficiency at work in our weakness.
- This principle applies broadly to living the whole Christian life.
When we embrace that our sufficiency is from God alone, we find freedom, fruitfulness and power for living. Our labor is then empowered by His glorious grace.