Acts 18 3

Acts 18:3 kjv

And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.

Acts 18:3 nkjv

So, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked; for by occupation they were tentmakers.

Acts 18:3 niv

and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them.

Acts 18:3 esv

and because he was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade.

Acts 18:3 nlt

Paul lived and worked with them, for they were tentmakers just as he was.

Acts 18 verses

Acts 18 3 Meaning

Acts 18:3 describes Paul's practical approach to missionary work in Corinth. Having met Aquila and Priscilla, who shared his profession, Paul lodged and labored with them as a tentmaker. This highlights Paul's commitment to self-sufficiency and the dignity of manual labor, ensuring his ministry would not be a financial burden to new converts, thus removing any potential obstacle to the acceptance of the gospel message.

Acts 18 3 Context

Acts 18 opens with Paul arriving in Corinth, a bustling, cosmopolitan Roman city renowned for its commerce and diverse populace. This was a challenging mission field. Upon arrival, Paul encounters Aquila and Priscilla, a Jewish couple recently expelled from Rome due to Emperor Claudius's edict in 49 AD (which ordered all Jews to leave Rome, likely due to internal unrest among Jews concerning "Chrestus" – probably referring to Christ). This shared Jewish heritage and recent displacement likely created a bond. Acts 18:3 then details that beyond their common ethnic background, Paul found a connection through their shared trade of tentmaking. This vocational link provided Paul not only lodging and income but also a strategic platform for ministry and community engagement in a new city. Paul's practice of working to support himself was a deliberate missionary strategy to prevent being a financial burden, thus removing potential obstacles for the gospel in a city rife with skepticism and idolatry.

Acts 18 3 Word analysis

• And (Kai, καὶ): A simple conjunction connecting Paul's arrival with his finding Aquila and Priscilla, setting up the reason for their association.
• because (dion kai, διὸ καὶ): Translates to "therefore also" or "for which cause also." It indicates a direct reason for Paul's subsequent actions based on their shared circumstance.
• he was (ēn, ἦν): Imperfect indicative of eimi, "to be." It emphasizes Paul's continuous state or identity as having that profession.
• of the same craft (homotéchnos, ὁμοτέχνος): Literally "of the same art" or "fellow craftsman." This key term signifies a shared profession, which in the ancient world, often established strong social and economic bonds. The craft of tentmaking (skēnopoios) involved working with leather or coarse goat-hair cloth (cilicium), which Tarsus, Paul's hometown, was famous for. This was not a demeaning trade; many highly educated Rabbis, including Paul, practiced a manual trade, often considering it a religious virtue to be self-sufficient and not burden others for spiritual teaching.
• he abode (emenei, ἔμενεν): Imperfect indicative of menō, "to remain, abide, stay." It indicates a continuous and settled period of living with them, implying more than just temporary lodging but a stable arrangement and fellowship. This arrangement fostered mutual support and deeper spiritual bonds between them.
• with them (par’ autois, παρ᾽ αὐτοῖς): "With them" or "alongside them," indicating a close proximity and shared living space. This detail highlights the communal aspect of early Christian fellowship and the practical reality of missionary life.
• and wrought (kai ērgazeto, καὶ ἠργάζετο): Imperfect indicative of ergazomai, "to work, labor, toil." Emphasizes that Paul actively engaged in the physical work of tentmaking alongside Aquila and Priscilla. This was not just a side-hobby but his means of primary support, demonstrating his commitment to hard labor.
• for by their occupation (gar tēi technēi, γὰρ τῇ τέχνῃ): "For by their skill/trade." Reinforces the reason: their shared profession was the fundamental basis for their living and Paul's association with them. It implies this trade was their established business, and Paul joined their existing enterprise.
• they were (ēsan, ἦσαν): Imperfect indicative of eimi, "to be." States their profession as an established fact.
• tentmakers (skēnopoioi, σκηνοποιοί): The specific occupation. These were likely artisans who made, repaired, and sold tents. Tents were essential for travel, trade, military campaigns, and temporary housing throughout the Roman Empire, indicating a practical and necessary trade. This occupation afforded flexibility and portability, suiting a traveling apostle. This choice of manual labor defied contemporary Hellenistic societal norms, where philosophical or religious teachers were often supported by patrons, but it aligned with Rabbinic tradition and allowed Paul to avoid any appearance of greed or exploitation.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "And because he was of the same craft": This phrase establishes the vocational link as the foundational reason for Paul's living arrangements. It immediately connects Paul's identity and skills with Aquila and Priscilla's, creating a common ground in a foreign city. It also subtly introduces the idea that even an apostle performs a valuable societal function beyond his spiritual role.
• "he abode with them, and wrought": This sequence of actions describes Paul's practical integration into their lives. "Abode" signifies communal living and shared domesticity, emphasizing hospitality. "Wrought" demonstrates Paul's active participation in their business, showing diligence and a willingness to work hard alongside them. It paints a picture of shared livelihood and mutual contribution, aligning with his philosophy of not being a financial burden.
• "for by their occupation they were tentmakers": This clause explains the nature of the shared craft. It clarifies that this was their established livelihood, providing context for how Paul supported himself during his mission in Corinth. The term "tentmakers" (skēnopoioí) specifically denotes artisans who worked with materials like leather or tough goat's hair, essential for making tents, cloaks, and other durable goods needed for travel and daily life in the ancient world. This specific trade was robust and in demand, providing a steady income and logistical flexibility.

Acts 18 3 Bonus section

Paul's vocational choice of tentmaking resonates with Jewish rabbinic tradition, where it was considered commendable for a scholar to have a trade, not only for self-support but also as a practical discipline and to prevent idleness. This stood in contrast to some Roman and Greek intellectuals who relied solely on patrons. The materials for tentmaking, especially cilicium, a rough goat-hair fabric, were abundant in Paul's home region of Cilicia, suggesting Paul may have learned the trade there. His ability to practice this portable craft was a strategic advantage for a traveling missionary, allowing him to establish a base of operations wherever he went, providing stability and credibility in a new city while maintaining his commitment to preach the gospel freely.

Acts 18 3 Commentary

Acts 18:3 is more than a mere detail about Paul's accommodations; it illuminates crucial aspects of his character, missionary strategy, and the ethos of early Christianity. Paul's choice to work as a tentmaker alongside Aquila and Priscilla in Corinth served multiple purposes. Firstly, it enabled his self-sufficiency, removing any financial burden from the fledgling Corinthian church. This was vital in a Hellenistic society where philosophical teachers often expected patronage, but unscrupulous ones could exploit followers. By refusing payment for the gospel, Paul demonstrated the purity of his motives and the divine source of his message, silencing critics who might accuse him of self-enrichment.

Secondly, it validated the dignity of manual labor. Paul, an educated Pharisee from Tarsus, embraced a trade, setting an example for converts who might come from various social strata, especially those who viewed physical work as undignified. This practical witness challenged social hierarchies and affirmed that all honest work could be done to the glory of God.

Thirdly, this arrangement fostered genuine community and discipleship. Living and working daily with Aquila and Priscilla, Paul could deepen his relationships with them, modeling Christ-like living, prayer, and gospel witness in a real-world context. This collaborative lifestyle facilitated mutual encouragement and shared mission, allowing for a natural extension of fellowship into evangelism. For instance, such living allowed him to explain Christian truth thoroughly in everyday settings and engage in discussions naturally with fellow laborers who came into their workplace, turning a simple business into a platform for gospel outreach.