January 2010

II Corinthians 3:5,6:
Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of [or from] God;
Who also hath made us able....

In verse 5 the Apostle Paul declared that he was not sufficient of himself but that his sufficiency came from God. This is true for all of us who are born again of God’s spirit. Our sufficiency is from God.

The English word “sufficient” has the present-day meaning of enough to meet one’s needs. However, the meaning of “sufficient” at the time of the translation of the King James Version was qualified, competent. “Competent” suggests measuring up to all requirements without question, and “qualified” implies fitted for a given purpose. Those two explanations aptly reflect the meaning of the Greek word for “sufficient” found in these verses: “sufficient in ability, fit.”

Forms of this Greek word are used three times in verses 5 and 6. This is seen more clearly in The New Testament in the Language of the People by Charles B. Williams:

II Corinthians 3:5,6 [Williams New Testament]:
Not that I am myself QUALIFIED to consider anything as coming from me myself. No; my QUALIFICATION comes from God, for
He has QUALIFIED even me....

How has God qualified us, the born-again believers? How has He made us competent and sufficient in ability? Through His written Word and the gift of holy spirit.

God’s Word tells us what He has made available to those who are born again of His spirit. When we read His Word, we can see how God has made us sufficient in ability to handle any situation in life. For example, Acts 1:8 tells us of the power of the holy spirit that was first made available on the day of Pentecost.

Acts 1:8:
But ye shall receive power [inherent spiritual ability], after that the Holy Ghost [holy spirit] is come upon you....

We have God’s spirit, His ability, in us. Let’s look at some verses in the Epistles that tell us how He has made us sufficient spiritually.

I Corinthians 12:7-11:
But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he [the man] will.

God has given us nine manifestations of holy spirit to operate, and we are qualified to operate this power. God has made us spiritually complete.

Colossians 2:10:
And ye are complete in him [Christ], which is the head of all principality and power.

Spiritually we are ABSOLUTELY complete. In Aramaic, the words “complete in him” carry the meaning of “completely, completely, absolutely complete in him.” It’s hard for the human mind to even comprehend such completeness, but we can understand from this that we are lacking in nothing. Spiritually, by way of the accomplishments of Jesus Christ, we have completeness. Our sufficiency in spiritual ability is from God through Christ.

Colossians 1:11:
Strengthened with all might [inherent spiritual power], according to his glorious power....

We are not lacking in strength because God has strengthened us with spiritual power.

II Timothy 1:7:
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

God has given us the ability to manifest power, love, and a sound mind.

We can bring God’s power into manifestation as we believe His Word. The more we know of God’s Word, the more we can be convinced of our sufficiency from Him. Our sufficiency from God comes into manifestation as we walk out on His Word with believing. It is a joy and blessing to be partnered with God, laboring together with Him.

I Corinthians 3:9:
For we are labourers together with God....

God has made us able, competent, and qualified. We can manifest His power and shine it forth to others who will then witness it and choose to walk in the same sufficiency!

Enjoy II Corinthians 3:5 from The Amplified Bible, which illustrates beautifully what we’ve seen:

Not that we are fit (qualified and sufficient in ability) of ourselves to form personal judgments or to claim or count anything as coming from us, but our power and ability and sufficiency are from God.

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