In the ancient world, slaves and sometimes temple devotees received permanent tattoo marks or brands identifying their owner. These stigmata could also denote military service, religious devotion, or punishment. Paul boldly claims to bear Jesus' brand-marks on his body—the scars from beatings, stonings, and persecution suffered for the gospel. These marks prove his authentic apostleship more convincingly than his opponents' credentials. The term carries both the degradation of slave-branding and the honor of battle scars. Paul's rhetorical power lies in transforming marks of shame into badges of legitimate authority.