2 Corinthians 3:5

An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

It is not that we are [so] competent as to consider anything [we do] as coming from ourselves, but our competence comes from God.

Cross References

Luke 21:15

for I will give you a mouth [i.e., the ability to speak properly] and wisdom [i.e., the knowledge of what to say], which none of your opponents will be able to resist or speak against.

Luke 24:49

And look, I [am going to] send upon you apostles what my Father promised [i.e., the Holy Spirit. See John 14:26]; but you should wait in the city [of Jerusalem] until you are clothed with power from above.” [Note: This promise was fulfilled when the apostles were immersed in the Holy Spirit. See Acts 1:4 - 2:4].

John 15:5

“I am the vine; you people are the branches. The person who remains united to me, and I to him, will bear much fruit. For you cannot do anything if [you are] separated from me.

Romans 15:18

For I will not dare to speak about anything, except what Christ has done through me in bringing about the obedience of the Gentiles. He accomplished this by my message and my deeds,

1 Corinthians 15:10

But I am whatever I am because of God’s unearned favor, and the favor He showed me was not for nothing [i.e., Paul made the most of his conversion by being extra diligent in his service to God]. But I worked harder than all the other apostles, yet it was not I, but God’s favor on me [that accomplished it].

1 Corinthians 3:10

Using the unearned favor shown to me by God [Note: Paul here probably refers to his apostleship and its attending spiritual gifts], as an expert building contractor, I laid the foundation [i.e., in starting the Corinthian church], and someone else is building on it [i.e., Apollos. See verse 6].

1 Corinthians 3:6

I [Paul] planted [i.e., preached God’s word], Apollos watered [it], but God made it grow.

2 Corinthians 12:9

But God said to me, “My unearned favor is enough for you, for my power is made complete in [your] weakness.” Therefore, I will most gladly boast, so that the power of Christ can rest on me.

2 Corinthians 2:16

To lost people [we become] a smell of death [i.e., we bring condemnation to people who reject our message]; to saved people [we become] a fragrance of life [i.e., we bring salvation to people who accept our message]. And who is adequate to [accomplish] such tasks?

2 Corinthians 4:7

But we have this treasure [i.e., the Gospel message] in clay pots [i.e., the mortal bodies of the apostles] to show that the [i.e., its] extraordinary power comes from God and not from us.

Philippians 2:13

for it is God who is at work in you, both to motivate the desire and to carry out what pleases Him.

Philippians 4:13

I can do everything through Christ, who gives me the strength.

2 Timothy 2:2

And the things that you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, you should pass on to trustworthy men who will be able to teach other people also.

James 1:17

Every good [thing that is given] and every perfect gift [received] is from above, coming down from the Father of [heavenly] lights, with whom there can be no change or shifting shadow [i.e., God always remains the same].