Not that we are sufficient of ourselves
Though we are sufficient for this work to which God has called
us, and have such trust and confidence that he has blessed and
owned us, and done such great things by us; yet we do not ascribe
anything to ourselves, to any power of ours, to any
self-sufficiency in us: for "we are not sufficient of ourselves"
neither for the work of the ministry, nor for the conversion of
sinners, nor for faith and hope in God, nor for any spiritual
work whatever; not even to think anything as of ourselves; any
good thing, either for our own use and benefit, or for the
advantage of others; we are not able of ourselves to meditate
with judgment and affection upon the word of God, to study the
Scriptures, to collect from them things fit for the ministry; and
much less with freedom and boldness to speak of them to
edification; and still less able to impress them upon the heart:
for though you who are the epistle of Christ are ministered by
us, yet not by any power and self-sufficiency of ours;
but our sufficiency is of God;
to think, to speak, and to act for his glory.
