2 Corinthians 12:12, The Miracles of Paul

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

//The book of Acts tells of many miracles that Paul performed. I’ve noticed a tendency among scholars to distrust these supernatural accounts, based on Paul’s own lack of writing about them. The opinion seems to be that Luke, who wrote the Acts of the Apostles, boldly elaborated on several stories to make them seem miraculous.

But hold on. Not so fast. Paul DOES confirm his own miracle-working ability, or at least he seems to.

Virtually every Bible scholar agrees that the book of 2 Corinthians was written by Paul, and today’s verse is in the context of pointing out Paul’s own qualifications as an apostle. Surely Paul was speaking about himself as he reminded the Corinthians of signs, wonders, and mighty deeds “wrought among them.” This, says Paul, is what validates his apostleship.

Did legends later grow from this vague claim, or was Paul confirming precisely the miracles described in the book of Acts?

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