2 Corinthians 12:12

2 Corinthians 12:12 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.
• New International Version (NIV)I persevered in demonstrating among you the marks of a true apostle, including signs, wonders and miracles.
• English Standard Version (ESV)The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds.

Context of 2 Corinthians 12:12

10So I am well pleased with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, and with difficulties, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak [in human strength], then I am strong [truly able, truly powerful, truly drawing from God’s strength]. 11Now I have become foolish; you have forced me [by questioning my apostleship]. Actually I should have been commended by you [instead of being treated disdainfully], for I was not inferior to those super-apostles, even if I am nobody. The signs that indicate a genuine apostle were performed among you fully and most patiently—signs and wonders and miracles. 13For in what respect were you treated as inferior to the rest of the churches, except [for the fact] that I did not burden you [with my financial support]? Forgive me [for doing you] this injustice! 14Now for the third time I am ready to visit you. I will not burden you [financially], because I do not want what is yours [not your money or your possessions], but you. For children are not responsible to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.

2 Corinthians 12:12 word by word

τὰ μὲν σημεῖα τοῦ ἀποστόλου κατειργάσθη ἐν ὑμῖν ἐν πάσῃ ὑπομονῇ, σημείοις τε καὶ τέρασιν καὶ δυνάμεσιν.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Trulyμένmen · on the other handG3303
• the signsσημεῖονsēmeion · signG4592
• of an apostleἀπόστολοςapostolos · apostleG652
• were wroughtκατεργάζομαιkatergazomai · to workout/produceG2716
• amongἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• youσύsu · youG4771
• allπᾶςpas · allG3956
• patienceὑπομονήhupomonē · perseveranceG5281
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• wondersτέραςteras · wondersG5059
• mighty deedsδύναμιςdunamis · powerG1411

Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 12:12

• 2 Corinthians 4:2But we have renounced the disgraceful things hidden because of shame; not walking in trickery or adulterating the word of God, but by stating the truth [openly and plainly], we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.
• 2 Corinthians 6:4but we commend ourselves in every way as servants of God: in great endurance, in sufferings, in hardships, in distresses,
• 2 Corinthians 11:4For [you seem willing to allow it] if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted. You tolerate all this beautifully [welcoming the deception].
• Romans 15:18For I will not [even] presume to speak of anything except what Christ has done through me [as an instrument in His hands], resulting in the obedience of the Gentiles [to the gospel], by word and deed,
• 1 Corinthians 1:5so that in everything you were [exceedingly] enriched in Him, in all speech [empowered by the spiritual gifts] and in all knowledge [with insight into the faith].
• 1 Corinthians 9:2If I am not [considered] an apostle to others, at least I am one to you; for you are the seal and the certificate and the living evidence of my apostleship in the Lord [confirming and authenticating it].
• 1 Corinthians 14:18I thank God that I speak in [unknown] tongues more than all of you;

Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 12:12

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 12The signs of an apostle were wrought among you - Though I have been reputed as nothing, I have given the fullest proof of my Divine mission by various signs, wonders, and miracles, and by that patience which I have manifested towards you: though I had power from God to inflict punishment on the transgressors, I have in every case forborne to do it. Is the man nothing who wrought such miracles among you?Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 12Truly the signs of an apostle - Such miracles as the acknowledged apostles worked. Such “signs” or evidences that they were divinely commissioned; see the Mark 16:17 note; Acts 2:22 note; Romans 15:19 note. Were wrought among you - That is, by me; see the note, 1 Corinthians 9:2. In all patience - I performed those works notwithstanding the opposition which I met with. I patiently persevered in furnishing the evidence of my divine commission. There was a…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 11-21Verses 11-21 We owe it to good men, to stand up in the defence of their reputation; and we are under special obligations to those from whom we have received benefit, especially spiritual benefit, to own them as instruments in God's hand of good to us. Here is an account of the apostle's behaviour and kind intentions; in which see the character of a faithful minister of the gospel. This was his great aim and design, to do good. Here are noticed several…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 12Paul's credentials included his patience in dealing with difficult people like the Corinthians.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1212. Truly, &c.--There is understood some such clause as this, "And yet I have not been commended by you." in all patience, in signs, &c.--The oldest manuscripts omit "in." "Patience" is not one of the "signs," but the element IN which they were wrought: endurance of opposition which did not cause me to leave off working [Alford]. Translate, "In ... patience, BY signs," &c. His mode of expression is modest, putting himself, the worker, in the background…Read the comment

Topics related to 2 Corinthians 12:12

• Apostles
• Humility
• Minister, Christian
• Miracles
• Patience

In the dictionaries

• Backbiting
• Crafty
• Excuse
• Gain
• Grace
• Perfect
• Revelation
• Sufficient
• Thorn
• Unspeakable

Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 12

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings