What is the context?
Paul brings the discussion of his qualifications back to the Corinthians’ own experience. They should have commended him, yet their response has driven him into the foolish boasting he has repeatedly qualified.
He says he is in no way inferior to the super-apostles, while also saying he is nothing. His confidence concerns what God has done through his ministry. He points to signs, wonders and miracles performed among them with great perseverance.
Then he returns to his decision to serve without becoming a burden to them. His request that they forgive this wrong is pointed irony: they received his ministry while others bore the cost of supporting him. That difference is being treated as if he had deprived them.
How is this passage commonly understood?
Christians commonly read the signs and perseverance as evidence of Paul’s genuine ministry. The USCCB note on verse 12 places demonstrations of power alongside his weakness and endurance.
Christians differ over what this means for gifts today. Dallas Theological Seminary, article XVI, teaches that certain sign gifts ended with the founding apostles and prophets, while affirming that God can still perform miracles. The Pentecostal Assemblies of God statement, sections 7 and 12, teaches the continuing work of spiritual gifts and divine healing. These are the stated positions of those bodies; they do not represent every Christian in their wider traditions.
Where does this fit in God's plan?
Hebrews 2:1–4 describes salvation first announced by the Lord, confirmed by those who heard Him, and affirmed by God through signs, wonders, miracles and gifts of the Spirit.
That passage places such works within God’s confirmation of the message about His Son. Paul’s appeal to what happened among the Corinthians belongs within that larger setting of the gospel being proclaimed and confirmed.
What is our position?
We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.