The Greek verb hikanoō means to make sufficient, to qualify, or to render adequate. It appears twice in the New Testament: 2 Corinthians 3:6 ('He has made us competent [hikanosen] as ministers of a new covenant') and Colossians 1:12 ('giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified [hikanosanti] you to share in the inheritance of the saints'). In both cases, the action is entirely God's — He is the one who makes competent.
The theology of hikanoō is the theology of grace against merit. Paul explicitly contrasts himself with those who peddle the word of God for profit (2 Corinthians 2:17), stating that his qualification does not come from himself but from God (ho theos hikanosen hemas). No one is inherently sufficient for gospel ministry — competence is divinely granted. Colossians 1:12 extends this to all believers: the Father has qualified each one for the inheritance. This is justification language applied to vocation: unworthy, now made worthy by grace.