The Meaning of 2 Corinthians 12:12 Explained

2 Corinthians 12:12

KJV: Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.

YLT: The signs, indeed, of the apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds,

Darby: The signs indeed of the apostle were wrought among you in all endurance, signs, and wonders, and works of power.

ASV: Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, by signs and wonders and mighty works.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Truly  the signs  of an apostle  were wrought  among  you  in  all  patience,  in  signs,  and  wonders,  and  mighty deeds. 

What does 2 Corinthians 12:12 Mean?

Verse Meaning

The "signs of an apostle" refer generally to the supernatural gifts and activities that marked the true apostles. This reference seems to indicate that Paul was referring to the Twelve rather than to the professed apostles when he used the term "super-apostles" ( 2 Corinthians 12:11; 2 Corinthians 11:5). God had enabled Paul to manifest these signs, so he described them as being done among them rather than as having done them. Paul"s perseverance in his apostolic mission in Corinth despite much opposition distinguished him from the false apostles (cf. 2 Corinthians 10:1; 2 Corinthians 11:4; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Acts 18:6; Acts 18:9-10; Acts 18:12-16). "Signs," "wonders," and "miracles" are synonymous terms that emphasize respectively their authenticating value, astonishing effect, and supernatural power.
"These passages [1] demonstrate that in the New Testament the purpose of signs and wonders and powers is that of authentication, even when deceitfully imitated by satanic forces." [2]

Context Summary

2 Corinthians 12:11-21 - "i Seek Not Yours, But You"
"The long burst of passionate self-vindication has now at last expended itself," says Dean Stanley, and Paul returns to the point whence he diverged at 2 Corinthians 10:7, where he was avowing his intention to repress the disobedience of those who still resisted his authority at Corinth. "Now," he says, "my folly is over. That I should have indulged in it is your fault, not mine." What a comfort it is that he lays such repeated stress on his weakness! Instead of complaining of it, he used it as an argument with Christ that He should put forth more grace, and as an argument with his converts, that the results of his work had been granted as the divine endorsement of his apostolate.
Paul felt that his paternal relation to this church gave him the right to rebuke them, as a father rebukes his children. But he realized that they did not reciprocate his love, probably because they permitted the evil things enumerated in the closing verses. Often moral obliquity accounts for the decline and failure of love. Among other things, they had even accused him of getting money, if not directly, yet through Titus. But there were worse things still that needed to be dealt with, 2 Corinthians 12:20-21. Would that we were more often humbled to the dust by the sins of our brethren! [source]

Chapter Summary: 2 Corinthians 12

1  For commending of his apostleship, though he might glory of his wonderful revelations,
9  yet he rather chooses to glory of his infirmities;
11  blaming the Corinthians for forcing him to this vain boasting
14  He promises to come to them again; but yet altogether in the affection of a father;
20  although he fears he shall to his grief find many offenders, and public disorders there

Greek Commentary for 2 Corinthians 12:12

Of an apostle [του αποστολου]
“Of the apostle” (definite article). Note the three words here for miracles wrought by Paul (σημεια — sēmeia signs, τερατα — terata wonders, δυναμεις — dunameis powers or miracles) as in Hebrews 2:4.sa120 [source]
Signs [σημεῖα]
See on Matthew 24:24. Stanley observes that the passage is remarkable as containing (what is rare in the history of miracles) a direct claim to miraculous powers by the person to whom they were ascribed. Compare 1 Corinthians 2:4; Romans 15:19. [source]
Were wrought [κατειργάσθη]
The testimony was decisive. They were fully wrought out. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 2 Corinthians 12:12

Matthew 24:24 Signs and wonders [σημεῖα καὶ τέρατα]
See on Matthew 11:20. The two words often joined in the New Testament. See John 4:48; Acts 2:22; Acts 4:30; 2 Corinthians 12:12. The words do not denote different classes of supernatural manifestations, but these manifestations regarded from different points of view. The same miracle may be a mighty work, or a glorious work, regarded with reference to its power and grandeur; or a sign of the doer's supernatural power; or a wonder, as it appeals to the spectator. Τέρας , (derivation uncertain) is a miracle regarded as a portent or prodigy, awakening amazement. It most nearly corresponds, therefore, to the etymological sense of the word miracle (Lat., miraculum, a wonderful thing, from mirari, to wonder )i1. [source]
Matthew 24:24 Great signs and wonders [σημεια μεγαλα και τερατα]
Two of the three words so often used in the N.T. about the works They often occur together of the same work (John 4:48; Acts 2:22; Acts 4:30; 2 Corinthians 12:12; Hebrews 2:4). Τερας — Teras is a wonder or prodigy, δυναμις — dunamis a mighty work or power, σημειον — sēmeion a sign of God‘s purpose. Miracle (μιραχυλυμ — miraculum) presents only the notion of wonder or portent. The same deed can be looked at from these different angles. But the point to note here is that mere “signs and wonders” do not of themselves prove the power of God. These charlatans will be so skilful that they will, if possible (ει δυνατον — ei dunaton), lead astray the very elect. The implication is that it is not possible. People become excited and are misled and are unable to judge of results. Often it is post hoc, sed non propter hoc. Patent-medicine men make full use of the credulity of people along this line as do spiritualistic mediums. Sleight-of-hand men can deceive the unwary. [source]
Romans 15:19 In power of signs and wonders [εν δυναμει σημειων και τερατων]
Note all three words as in Hebrews 2:4, only here δυναμις — dunamis is connected with σημεια — sēmeia and τερατα — terata See all three words used of Paul‘s own work in 2 Corinthians 12:12 and in 2 Thessalonians 2:9 of the Man of Sin. See note on 1 Thessalonians 1:5; 1 Corinthians 2:4 for the “power” of the Holy Spirit in Paul‘s preaching. Note repetition of εν δυναμει — en dunamei here with πνευματος αγιου — pneumatos hagiou [source]
Galatians 3:20 Now a mediator is not a mediator of one [ὁ δὲ μεσίτης ἐνὸς οὐκ ἔστιν]
Observe, 1. Δὲ isexplanatory, not antithetic. The verse illustrates the conception of mediator. 2. The article, the mediator, has a generic force: the mediator according to the general and proper conception of his function. Comp. the apostle (2 Corinthians 12:12); the shepherd, the good (John 10:11). 3. Ἑνὸς ofone, is to be explained by the following εἷς , so that it is masculine and personal. We are not to supply party or law. The meaning is: the conception of mediator does not belong to an individual considered singly. One is not a mediator of his single self, but he is a mediator between two contracting parties; in this case between God and the people of Israel, as Leviticus 26:46; thus differing from Christ, who is called the mediator of a new covenant (Hebrews 8:6; Hebrews 9:15; Hebrews 12:24). The new covenant, the gospel, was not a contract. Accordingly Galatians 3:20serves to define the true conception of a mediator, and through this definition to make clearer the difference between the law, which required a mediator, and the promise, which is the simple expression of God's will. The very idea of mediation supposes two parties. The law is of the nature of a contract between God and the Jewish people. The validity of the contract depends on its fulfillment by both parties. Hence it is contingent, not absolute. [source]

What do the individual words in 2 Corinthians 12:12 mean?

The indeed signs of the apostle were performed among you in all perseverance in signs both and wonders miracles
τὰ μὲν σημεῖα τοῦ ἀποστόλου κατειργάσθη ἐν ὑμῖν ἐν πάσῃ ὑπομονῇ σημείοις τε καὶ τέρασιν δυνάμεσιν

μὲν  indeed 
Parse: Particle
Root: μέν  
Sense: truly, certainly, surely, indeed.
σημεῖα  signs 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Neuter Plural
Root: σημεῖον  
Sense: a sign, mark, token.
τοῦ  of  the 
Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἀποστόλου  apostle 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: ἀπόστολος  
Sense: a delegate, messenger, one sent forth with orders.
κατειργάσθη  were  performed 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Passive, 3rd Person Singular
Root: κατεργάζομαι  
Sense: to perform, accomplish, achieve.
ὑπομονῇ  perseverance 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: ὑπομονή  
Sense: steadfastness, constancy, endurance.
σημείοις  in  signs 
Parse: Noun, Dative Neuter Plural
Root: σημεῖον  
Sense: a sign, mark, token.
τε  both 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: τέ  
Sense: not only … but also.
τέρασιν  wonders 
Parse: Noun, Dative Neuter Plural
Root: τέρας  
Sense: a prodigy, portent.
δυνάμεσιν  miracles 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Plural
Root: δύναμις  
Sense: strength power, ability.