KJV: Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;
YLT: not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything, as of ourselves, but our sufficiency is of God,
Darby: not that we are competent of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves, but our competency is of God;
ASV: not that we are sufficient of ourselves, to account anything as from ourselves; but our sufficiency is from God;
ὅτι | that |
Parse: Conjunction Root: ὅτι Sense: that, because, since. |
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ἑαυτῶν | ourselves |
Parse: Reflexive Pronoun, Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural Root: ἑαυτοῦ Sense: himself, herself, itself, themselves. |
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ἱκανοί | sufficient |
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Plural Root: ἱκανός Sense: sufficient. |
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ἐσμεν | we are |
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 1st Person Plural Root: εἰμί Sense: to be, to exist, to happen, to be present. |
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λογίσασθαί | to reckon |
Parse: Verb, Aorist Infinitive Middle Root: λογίζομαι Sense: to reckon, count, compute, calculate, count over. |
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τι | anything |
Parse: Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun, Accusative Neuter Singular Root: τὶς Sense: a certain, a certain one. |
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ἱκανότης | sufficiency |
Parse: Noun, Nominative Feminine Singular Root: ἱκανότης Sense: sufficient, ability or competency to do a thing. |
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ἡμῶν | of us |
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive 1st Person Plural Root: ἐγώ Sense: I, me, my. |
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ἐκ | [is] of |
Parse: Preposition Root: ἐκ Sense: out of, from, by, away from. |
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τοῦ | - |
Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Singular Root: ὁ Sense: this, that, these, etc. |
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Θεοῦ | God |
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular Root: θεός Sense: a god or goddess, a general name of deities or divinities. |
Greek Commentary for 2 Corinthians 3:5
Starting from ourselves (reflexive pronoun). [source]
He says it over again with preposition εχ ex (out of). He has no originating power for such confidence. Sufficiency (ικανοτης hikanotēs). Old word, only here in N.T. [source]
Old word, only here in N.T. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 2 Corinthians 3:5
Lit., sufficient. Compare Matthew 3:11, “worthy to bear and 2 Corinthians 3:5, “not that we are sufficient ( ἱκανοί )but our sufficiency ( ἱκανότης ) is of God.” It is also used in the sense of much, many, long. See Luke 7:12; Luke 8:27, Luke 8:32; Luke 20:9; Acts 9:23. [source]
“There are to us” (dative of possession as in Acts 18:10). Apparently members of the Jerusalem church. Which have a vow on them (ευχην εχοντες απ euchēn echontes aph' -- or επ εαυτων eph' heautōn). Apparently a temporary Nazarite vow like that in Numbers 6:1-21 and its completion was marked by several offerings in the temple, the shaving of the head (Numbers 6:13-15). Either Paul or Aquila had such a vow on leaving Cenchreae (Acts 18:18). “It was considered a work of piety to relieve needy Jews from the expenses connected with this vow, as Paul does here” (Page). The reading απ εαυτων aph' heautōn would mean that they had taken the vow voluntarily or of themselves (Luke 12:57; 2 Corinthians 3:5), while επ εαυτων eph' heautōn means that the vow lies on them still. [source]
Apparently a temporary Nazarite vow like that in Numbers 6:1-21 and its completion was marked by several offerings in the temple, the shaving of the head (Numbers 6:13-15). Either Paul or Aquila had such a vow on leaving Cenchreae (Acts 18:18). “It was considered a work of piety to relieve needy Jews from the expenses connected with this vow, as Paul does here” (Page). The reading απ εαυτων aph' heautōn would mean that they had taken the vow voluntarily or of themselves (Luke 12:57; 2 Corinthians 3:5), while επ εαυτων eph' heautōn means that the vow lies on them still. [source]
See on worthy, Luke 7:6. The primary meaning is sufficient, and hence comes to be applied to number and quantity; many, enough, as Mark 10:46; Luke 8:32; Acts 9:23, etc. So, long, of time (Acts 8:11; Acts 27:9). Worthy, i.e., sufficient for an honor or a place (Mark 1:7; Luke 7:6; 1 Corinthians 15:9). Adequate (2 Corinthians 2:16; 2 Corinthians 3:5). Qualified (2 Timothy 2:2). Here the sense might be expressed by for years enough. [source]
Late causative verb from ικανος hikanos (2 Corinthians 3:5) first aorist active indicative, “who (God) rendered us fit.” In N.T. only here and Colossians 1:12. [source]
Paul is sensitive on his right to receive adequate support (1 Thessalonians 2:6; 1 Corinthians 9:4 where he uses the same word εχουσιαν exousian in the long defence of this right, 1 Corinthians 9:1-27). So he here puts in this limitation to avoid misapprehension. He did allow churches to help him where he would not be misunderstood (2 Corinthians 11:7-11; Philemon 4:15.). Paul uses ουχ οτι ouch hoti elsewhere to avoid misunderstanding (2 Corinthians 1:24; 2 Corinthians 3:5; Philemon 4:17). [source]
Plutarch has δια dia in this sense and Field (Ot. Norv.) suggests that it is a legal phrase “supported by many witnesses.” Not mere spectators, but testifiers. See Paul‘s use of δια dia 1 Thessalonians 4:2; 2 Corinthians 2:4; Romans 2:27; Romans 14:20. Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:1-8 gives many witnesses of the resurrection of Christ. Commit thou (παρατου parathou). Second aorist middle imperative of παρατιτημι paratithēmi (1 Timothy 1:18) to deposit, same metaphor as παρατηκη parathēkē in 2 Timothy 1:12, 2 Timothy 1:14. “Deposit thou.” Faithful “Trustworthy,” “reliable,” as in 1 Timothy 1:12 of Paul himself. Able (ικανοι hikanoi). Capable, qualified, as in 1 Corinthians 15:9; 2 Corinthians 2:16; 2 Corinthians 3:5. Others also Not necessarily “different,” but “others in addition.” This is the way to pass on the torch of the light of the knowledge of God in Christ. Paul taught Timothy who will teach others who will teach still others, an endless chain of teacher-training and gospel propaganda. [source]
“Trustworthy,” “reliable,” as in 1 Timothy 1:12 of Paul himself. Able (ικανοι hikanoi). Capable, qualified, as in 1 Corinthians 15:9; 2 Corinthians 2:16; 2 Corinthians 3:5. Others also Not necessarily “different,” but “others in addition.” This is the way to pass on the torch of the light of the knowledge of God in Christ. Paul taught Timothy who will teach others who will teach still others, an endless chain of teacher-training and gospel propaganda. [source]
Capable, qualified, as in 1 Corinthians 15:9; 2 Corinthians 2:16; 2 Corinthians 3:5. [source]