2 Corinthians 3:4-6

Now we have such confidence in God through Christ.  Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as if it were coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God,  who made us adequate to be servants of a new covenant not based on the letter but on the Spirit, for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

Paul speaks here about the other apostles and those serving the Lord alongside of Him. He continues to boast only in the Lord, naming God as their sole sufficiency. It is God who made them “competent as ministers of the new covenant” (NIV), and the same holds true today. Those who have been called to ministry stand upon the foundation of Christ Jesus, according to the prerogative, authority, and sovereignty of God. If they minister truly, they do so because God is in them and speaks life through Holy Spirit. Men do not deserve worship, nor can they bear being worshiped. Those in ministry who are praised ought to redirect that worship to the Lord. He alone is worthy – it is He who has received all authority on earth from our loving Heavenly Father. The law does not save, men do not save, only Jesus saves.