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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Acts 18:3 and he stayed and worked with them because they were tentmakers by trade, just as he was.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/acts/18-3.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/3/44_Act_18_03.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Acts 18:3 - Paul's Ministry in Corinth" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="and he stayed and worked with them because they were tentmakers by trade, just as he was." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/acts/18-3.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/acts/18-3.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/acts/">Acts</a> > <a href="/acts/18.htm">Chapter 18</a> > Verse 3</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad3.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/acts/18-2.htm" title="Acts 18:2">◄</a> Acts 18:3 <a href="/acts/18-4.htm" title="Acts 18:4">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/acts/18.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/acts/18.htm">New International Version</a> and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them. <a href="/nlt/acts/18.htm">New Living Translation</a> Paul lived and worked with them, for they were tentmakers just as he was. <a href="/esv/acts/18.htm">English Standard Version</a> and because he was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade. <a href="/bsb/acts/18.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> and he stayed and worked with them because they were tentmakers by trade, just as he was. <a href="/blb/acts/18.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> and because of being of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked. For they were tentmakers by the trade. <a href="/kjv/acts/18.htm">King James Bible</a> And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers. <a href="/nkjv/acts/18.htm">New King James Version</a> So, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked; for by occupation they were tentmakers. <a href="/nasb_/acts/18.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> and because he was of the same trade he stayed with them, and they worked together, for they were tent-makers by trade. <a href="/nasb/acts/18.htm">NASB 1995</a> and because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and they were working, for by trade they were tent-makers. <a href="/nasb77/acts/18.htm">NASB 1977 </a> and because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and they were working; for by trade they were tent-makers. <a href="/lsb/acts/18.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> and because he was of the same trade, he was staying with them and they were working, for by trade they were tent-makers. <a href="/amp/acts/18.htm">Amplified Bible</a> and because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them; and they worked together for they were tent-makers. <a href="/csb/acts/18.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> and since they were of the same occupation, tentmakers by trade, he stayed with them and worked. <a href="/hcsb/acts/18.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> and being of the same occupation, stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade. <a href="/asv/acts/18.htm">American Standard Version</a> and because he was of the same trade, he abode with them, and they wrought; for by their trade they were tentmakers. <a href="/cev/acts/18.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> and found out they were tent makers. Paul was also a tent maker, so he stayed with them, and they worked together. <a href="/erv/acts/18.htm">English Revised Version</a> and because he was of the same trade, he abode with them, and they wrought; for by their trade they were tentmakers. <a href="/gwt/acts/18.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> and because they made tents for a living as he did, he stayed with them and they worked together. <a href="/gnt/acts/18.htm">Good News Translation</a> and stayed and worked with them, because he earned his living by making tents, just as they did. <a href="/isv/acts/18.htm">International Standard Version</a> and because they had the same trade he stayed with them. They worked together because they were tentmakers by trade. <a href="/msb/acts/18.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> and he stayed and worked with them because they were tentmakers by trade, just as he was. <a href="/net/acts/18.htm">NET Bible</a> and because he worked at the same trade, he stayed with them and worked with them (for they were tentmakers by trade). <a href="/nheb/acts/18.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> and because he practiced the same trade, he lived with them and worked, for by trade they were tent makers. <a href="/wbt/acts/18.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And because he was of the same occupation, he abode with them, and wrought (for by their occupation they were tent-makers) <a href="/wey/acts/18.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> and because he was of the same trade--that of tent-maker--he lodged with them and worked with them. <a href="/web/acts/18.htm">World English Bible</a> and because he practiced the same trade, he lived with them and worked, for by trade they were tent makers. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/acts/18.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and because of being of the same craft, he remained with them, and was working, for they were tentmakers as to craft; <a href="/blb/acts/18.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> and because of being of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked. For they were tentmakers by the trade. <a href="/ylt/acts/18.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and because of being of the same craft, he did remain with them, and was working, for they were tent-makers as to craft; <a href="/slt/acts/18.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And because being of the same trade, he remained with them, and wrought: for they were by trade tentmakers.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/acts/18.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And because he was of the same trade, he remained with them, and wrought; (now they were tentmakers by trade.) <a href="/cpdv/acts/18.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And because he was of the same trade, he lodged with them and was working. (Now they were tentmakers by trade.) <a href="/nabre/acts/18.htm">New American Bible</a> and, because he practiced the same trade, stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade. <a href="/nrsvce/acts/18.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> and, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them, and they worked together—by trade they were tentmakers.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/acts/18.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked with them: for they were saddle makers by trade. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/acts/18.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> And because he was a member of their craft, he stayed with them, and he was working with them in their craft, for they were Tentmakers.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/acts/18.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> and because he was of the same trade, he made his home with them, and worked: for by trade they were tent-makers. <a href="/godbey/acts/18.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> and because they were of the same craft, abode with them, and they labored: for they were tentmakers by trade. <a href="/haweis/acts/18.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> And as he was of the same occupation, he abode with them, and worked, (for by trade they were tent-makers:) <a href="/mace/acts/18.htm">Mace New Testament</a> and being of the same trade, he liv'd with them, and follow'd the business of tent-making, every sabbath he disputed in the synagogue, <a href="/wey/acts/18.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> and because he was of the same trade--that of tent-maker--he lodged with them and worked with them. <a href="/worrell/acts/18.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> and, because he was of the same trade, he abode with them, and they labored; for by occupation they were tent-makers. <a href="/worsley/acts/18.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> and as he was of the same trade, he staid and worked with them: for they were tent-makers. <a href="/parallel/acts/18-3.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/in5WTRQ9BSQ?start=5939" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/acts/18.htm">Paul's Ministry in Corinth</a> …2There he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to visit them, 3<a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/3306.htm" title="3306: emenen (V-IIA-3S) -- To remain, abide, stay, wait; with acc: I wait for, await. A primary verb; to stay.">he stayed</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/2038.htm" title="2038: ērgazeto (V-IIM/P-3S) -- To work, trade, perform, do, practice, commit, acquire by labor. ">worked</a> <a href="/greek/3844.htm" title="3844: par’ (Prep) -- Gen: from; dat: beside, in the presence of; acc: alongside of. ">with</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autois (PPro-DM3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">them</a> <a href="/greek/1223.htm" title="1223: dia (Prep) -- A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.">because</a> <a href="/greek/1063.htm" title="1063: gar (Conj) -- For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason."></a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: ēsan (V-IIA-3P) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">they were</a> <a href="/greek/4635.htm" title="4635: skēnopoioi (N-NMP) -- A tent-maker. From skene and poieo; a manufacturer of tents.">tentmakers</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tē (Art-DFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/5078.htm" title="5078: technē (N-DFS) -- Art, skill, trade, craft. From the base of tikto; art, i.e., a trade, or skill.">by trade,</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: to (Art-ANS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/3673.htm" title="3673: homotechnon (Adj-AMS) -- Of the same trade or craft. From the base of homou and techne; a fellow-artificer.">just as</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: einai (V-PNA) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">he was.</a> 4Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks alike.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/1_corinthians/4-12.htm">1 Corinthians 4:12</a> We work hard with our own hands. When we are vilified, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; <a href="/1_thessalonians/2-9.htm">1 Thessalonians 2:9</a> Surely you recall, brothers, our labor and toil. We worked night and day so that we would not be a burden to anyone while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. <a href="/2_thessalonians/3-8.htm">2 Thessalonians 3:8</a> nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. Instead, in labor and toil, we worked night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you. <a href="/1_corinthians/9-6.htm">1 Corinthians 9:6-7</a> Or are Barnabas and I the only apostles who must work for a living? / Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit? Who tends a flock and does not drink of its milk? <a href="/philippians/4-14.htm">Philippians 4:14-16</a> Nevertheless, you have done well to share in my affliction. / And as you Philippians know, in the early days of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church but you partnered with me in the matter of giving and receiving. / For even while I was in Thessalonica, you provided for my needs again and again. <a href="/2_corinthians/11-9.htm">2 Corinthians 11:9</a> And when I was with you and in need, I was not a burden to anyone; for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied my needs. I have refrained from being a burden to you in any way, and I will continue to do so. <a href="/ephesians/4-28.htm">Ephesians 4:28</a> He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing good with his own hands, that he may have something to share with the one in need. <a href="/1_corinthians/9-14.htm">1 Corinthians 9:14-15</a> In the same way, the Lord has prescribed that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel. / But I have not used any of these rights. And I am not writing this to suggest that something be done for me. Indeed, I would rather die than let anyone nullify my boast. <a href="/1_timothy/5-18.htm">1 Timothy 5:18</a> For the Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and, “The worker is worthy of his wages.” <a href="/1_corinthians/9-18.htm">1 Corinthians 9:18</a> What then is my reward? That in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not use up my rights in preaching it. <a href="/1_corinthians/9-11.htm">1 Corinthians 9:11-12</a> If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much for us to reap a material harvest from you? / If others have this right to your support, shouldn’t we have it all the more? But we did not exercise this right. Instead, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ. <a href="/1_corinthians/9-19.htm">1 Corinthians 9:19</a> Though I am free of obligation to anyone, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. <a href="/1_corinthians/9-1.htm">1 Corinthians 9:1-2</a> Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you yourselves not my workmanship in the Lord? / Even if I am not an apostle to others, surely I am to you. For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. <a href="/1_corinthians/9-3.htm">1 Corinthians 9:3-5</a> This is my defense to those who scrutinize me: / Have we no right to food and to drink? / Have we no right to take along a believing wife, as do the other apostles and the Lord’s brothers and Cephas? <a href="/1_corinthians/9-8.htm">1 Corinthians 9:8-10</a> Do I say this from a human perspective? Doesn’t the Law say the same thing? / For it is written in the Law of Moses: “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.” Is it about oxen that God is concerned? / Isn’t He actually speaking on our behalf? Indeed, this was written for us, because when the plowman plows and the thresher threshes, they should also expect to share in the harvest.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And because he was of the same craft, he stayed with them, and worked: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.and wrought.<a href="/acts/20-34.htm">Acts 20:34,35</a> Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me… <a href="/1_corinthians/4-12.htm">1 Corinthians 4:12</a> And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:<a href="/1_corinthians/9-6.htm">1 Corinthians 9:6-12</a> Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working? … <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/acts/17-14.htm">Abode</a> <a href="/acts/13-10.htm">Craft</a> <a href="/acts/16-24.htm">Lodged</a> <a href="/isaiah/45-16.htm">Makers</a> <a href="/jonah/1-8.htm">Occupation</a> <a href="/micah/3-4.htm">Practiced</a> <a href="/acts/15-16.htm">Tent</a> <a href="/acts/17-5.htm">Together</a> <a href="/john/2-16.htm">Trade</a> <a href="/acts/17-31.htm">Work</a> <a href="/acts/7-36.htm">Worked</a> <a href="/acts/17-13.htm">Working</a> <a href="/acts/15-12.htm">Wrought</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/acts/20-3.htm">Abode</a> <a href="/acts/19-25.htm">Craft</a> <a href="/1_timothy/5-10.htm">Lodged</a> <a href="/revelation/18-22.htm">Makers</a> <a href="/acts/19-25.htm">Occupation</a> <a href="/acts/19-19.htm">Practiced</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/5-1.htm">Tent</a> <a href="/acts/18-8.htm">Together</a> <a href="/acts/19-25.htm">Trade</a> <a href="/acts/19-25.htm">Work</a> <a href="/acts/19-11.htm">Worked</a> <a href="/acts/19-11.htm">Working</a> <a href="/acts/19-11.htm">Wrought</a><div class="vheading2">Acts 18</div>1. <a href="/acts/18-1.htm">Paul labors with his hands, and preaches at Corinth to the Gentiles.</a> 9. <a href="/acts/18-9.htm">The Lord encourages him in a vision.</a> 12. <a href="/acts/18-12.htm">He is accused before Gallio the deputy, but is dismissed.</a> 18. <a href="/acts/18-18.htm">Afterwards passing from city to city, he strengthens the disciples.</a> 24. <a href="/acts/18-24.htm">Apollos, being instructed by Aquila and Priscilla, preaches Christ boldly.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/acts/18.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/acts/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/acts/18.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>and he stayed and worked with them Paul's decision to stay and work with Aquila and Priscilla highlights the importance of fellowship and partnership in ministry. This reflects the early Christian practice of communal living and support, as seen in <a href="/acts/2-44.htm">Acts 2:44-45</a>. Paul's willingness to work alongside them demonstrates humility and a commitment to self-sufficiency, aligning with his teachings in <a href="/2_thessalonians/3-7.htm">2 Thessalonians 3:7-10</a> about not being a burden to others.because they were tentmakers by trade Tentmaking was a common trade in the ancient world, involving the crafting of tents from leather or cloth. This profession was practical for Paul, allowing him to support himself while traveling. The mention of this trade provides insight into the socio-economic background of early Christians, who often came from various working-class professions. It also underscores the value of vocational skills in supporting ministry work.just as he was Paul's background as a tentmaker is significant, as it illustrates his ability to relate to ordinary working people. This connection to a trade also reflects his Jewish heritage, where it was customary for rabbis to have a trade. Paul's dual identity as a tentmaker and apostle exemplifies the integration of faith and work, serving as a model for Christians to engage in secular professions while maintaining a strong spiritual witness.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/p/paul.htm">Paul</a> A key figure in the early Christian church, known for his missionary journeys and epistles. In this passage, he is seen engaging in tentmaking, a trade he shares with Aquila and Priscilla. 2. <a href="/topical/a/aquila.htm">Aquila</a> A Jewish Christian who, along with his wife Priscilla, had recently come from Italy due to Claudius' edict expelling Jews from Rome. He is a tentmaker by trade. 3. <a href="/topical/p/priscilla.htm">Priscilla</a> The wife of Aquila, also a tentmaker. She plays a significant role in the early church, often mentioned alongside her husband. 4. <a href="/topical/c/corinth.htm">Corinth</a> A major city in ancient Greece, known for its commerce and diverse population. It is here that Paul meets Aquila and Priscilla and engages in tentmaking. 5. <a href="/topical/t/tentmaking.htm">Tentmaking</a> The trade shared by Paul, Aquila, and Priscilla. It involves the crafting of tents, which were essential for travelers and nomads in the ancient world.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_value_of_work.htm">The Value of Work</a> Paul’s engagement in tentmaking demonstrates the dignity and value of work. It shows that secular work can coexist with ministry and be a means of supporting oneself and others. <a href="/topical/b/bi-vocational_ministry.htm">Bi-vocational Ministry</a> Paul’s example encourages those in ministry to consider bi-vocational roles, allowing them to serve without financial burden on the church. <a href="/topical/c/community_and_fellowship.htm">Community and Fellowship</a> Working alongside Aquila and Priscilla, Paul models the importance of community and fellowship in both work and ministry. <a href="/topical/u/using_skills_for_god's_glory.htm">Using Skills for God’s Glory</a> Just as Paul used his tentmaking skills, believers are encouraged to use their God-given talents and skills for the advancement of the Gospel. <a href="/topical/a/adaptability_in_ministry.htm">Adaptability in Ministry</a> Paul’s ability to adapt to different circumstances, including working with his hands, is a lesson in flexibility and resourcefulness in ministry.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_acts_18.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Acts 18</a> <a href="/q/what_does_a_bi-vocational_pastor_do.htm">What does a bi-vocational pastor do?</a> <a href="/q/what_is_christian_tentmaking.htm">What is Christian tentmaking?</a> <a href="/q/who_were_priscilla_and_aquila.htm">Who were Priscilla and Aquila in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/events_in_corinth_and_ephesus_for_paul.htm">What events occurred during Paul's time in Corinth and Ephesus?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/acts/18.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(3) Because he was of the same craft.--The calling was one which St. Paul had probably learnt and practised in his native city, which was noted then, as now, for the rough goat's-hair fabrics known to the Romans, from the name of the province, as Cilicium ( = sack-cloth). The material was one used for the sails of ships and for tents, and on the whole, though some have supposed that leather was used for the latter, it seems more probable that this was the material which St. Paul worked at. It may be added that Pontus, from which Aquila came, was also famous for the same manufacture, the material in each case being furnished by the goats which fed upon the slopes of the Taurus, and the mountain ranges of that province. The fact that St. Paul had learnt this trade is not inconsistent with the comparative opulence suggested by his education both in boyhood at Tarsus and at the feet of Gamaliel in Jerusalem. The Rabbinic proverb, that "He who does not teach his son a trade, teaches him to be a thief," made such instruction almost universal. So the great Hillel was a carpenter. Here, it is clear, he took the course of working for his livelihood, as he had done at Thessalonica, that he might keep himself from the suspicion of self-interest in his work as a teacher (<a href="/context/1_corinthians/9-15.htm" title="But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done to me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void.">1Corinthians 9:15-19</a>; <a href="/context/2_corinthians/11-7.htm" title="Have I committed an offense in abasing myself that you might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?">2Corinthians 11:7-13</a>). Such was the beginning of his labours at Corinth. A new artisan was working for wages, or as a partner, probably the latter, as afterwards with Philemon (<a href="/philemon/1-17.htm" title="If you count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.">Philemon 1:17</a>), in the workshop of the Jew, not as yet known to the outer world as more than a Jew, who had recently arrived in Corinth from Rome.(3) We may add to this motive the principle on which St. Paul acted of being "all things to all men," and, therefore, as a Jew to Jews (<a href="/1_corinthians/9-20.htm" title="And to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;">1Corinthians 9:20</a>). A Nazarite vow would testify to all his brethren by blood that he did not despise the Law himself nor teach other Jews to despise it. (See Notes on <a href="/context/acts/21-21.htm" title="And they are informed of you, that you teach all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs.">Acts 21:21-24</a>.) Such a vow, involving, as it did, for a time a greater asceticism than that of common life, furnishes a link in the succession of thoughts in <a href="/context/1_corinthians/9-22.htm" title="To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.">1Corinthians 9:22-25</a>, between the Apostle's being made "all things to all men" and his "keeping under his body, and bringing it into subjection." . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/acts/18.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 3. - Trade for craft, A.V.; they wrought for (he) wrought, A.V. and T.R.; trade for occupation, A.V. (τέχνῃ). Of the same trade; ὁμότεχνον. This word occurs here only in the New Testament, but is of frequent use in Hippocrates, Dioscorides, and Galen (Hobart, as before). Tent-makers; σκηνοποιοί, which is paraphrased by σκηοῥῤάφοι, tent-stitchers or tailors, by Chrysostom and Theodoret. Hug and others erroneously interpret it "makers of tent-cloth," from the fact that a certain kind of cloth made of goats' hair, called κιλίκιον, was manufactured in Paul's native country of Cilicia. But the fact of such manufacture would equally lead persons who were living in Cilicia to exercise the trade of making tents of the cloth so manufactured. St. Paul alludes to his manual labor in <a href="/acts/20-33.htm">Acts 20:33-35</a>; <a href="/1_corinthians/4-12.htm">1 Corinthians 4:12</a>; <a href="/1_thessalonians/2-9.htm">1 Thessalonians 2:9</a>; <a href="/2_thessalonians/3-8.htm">2 Thessalonians 3:8, 9</a>. <a href="/commentaries/acts/18-3.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. he stayed ἔμενεν (emenen) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3306.htm">Strong's 3306: </a> To remain, abide, stay, wait; with acc: I wait for, await. A primary verb; to stay. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. worked ἠργάζετο (ērgazeto) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2038.htm">Strong's 2038: </a> To work, trade, perform, do, practice, commit, acquire by labor. with παρ’ (par’) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_3844.htm">Strong's 3844: </a> Gen: from; dat: beside, in the presence of; acc: alongside of. them αὐτοῖς (autois) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. because διὰ (dia) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1223.htm">Strong's 1223: </a> A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through. they were ἦσαν (ēsan) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. tentmakers σκηνοποιοὶ (skēnopoioi) Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4635.htm">Strong's 4635: </a> A tent-maker. From skene and poieo; a manufacturer of tents. by trade, τέχνῃ (technē) Noun - Dative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5078.htm">Strong's 5078: </a> Art, skill, trade, craft. From the base of tikto; art, i.e., a trade, or skill. [just as] ὁμότεχνον (homotechnon) Adjective - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3673.htm">Strong's 3673: </a> Of the same trade or craft. From the base of homou and techne; a fellow-artificer. he was. εἶναι (einai) Verb - Present Infinitive Active <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/acts/18-3.htm">Acts 18:3 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/acts/18-3.htm">Acts 18:3 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/acts/18-3.htm">Acts 18:3 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/acts/18-3.htm">Acts 18:3 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/acts/18-3.htm">Acts 18:3 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/acts/18-3.htm">Acts 18:3 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/acts/18-3.htm">Acts 18:3 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/acts/18-3.htm">Acts 18:3 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/acts/18-3.htm">Acts 18:3 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/acts/18-3.htm">Acts 18:3 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/acts/18-3.htm">NT Apostles: Acts 18:3 And because he practiced the same trade (Acts of the Apostles Ac) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/acts/18-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Acts 18:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Acts 18:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/acts/18-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Acts 18:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Acts 18:4" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>