Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;
Ver. 5. Not that we are sufficient] Lest they should think him arrogant. Cyrus had this written upon his tomb, "I could do all things," παντα ποιειν εδυναμην, as Arrianus reports. So could Paul too; but it was through Christ which strengthened him, Philippians 4:13 .
All our sufficiency is of God] Had not ministers then need to pray? Bene orasse est bene studuisse, saith Luther. And whether a minister shall do no more good to others by his prayers or preaching, I will not determine (saith a reverend writer), but he shall certainly by his prayers reap more comfort to himself; whereto I add, that unless he pray for his hearers as well as preach to them, he may preach to as little purpose as Bede did, when he preached to a heap of stones; and that if people pray not for their ministers, they may prove ministrorum opprobria, like Laban's lambs, or Pharaoh's kine; they may thank themselves for their minister's insufficiency and their own non-proficiency.