So, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked; for by occupation they were tentmakers. Acts 18:3

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A more literal translation would be, “And because being of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade” (CG).

In the previous verse, Paul found Aquila and Priscilla. Now it records, “And because being of the same trade.”

It is a word found only once in Scripture, homotechnos. One can look at the word and get a sense of its meaning. It signifies being of the same trade or craft. Alfred Edersheim, in his commentary on Jewish social life, noted that Jewish guilds always kept together, whether on the street or in a synagogue. Because of this, he would have easily come upon Aquila and Priscilla. In meeting them, they obviously found each other agreeable, and so “he stayed with them and worked.”

Luke doesn’t dwell on the reason for this, but it is evident that this was their means of living. Paul didn’t sponge off of those he evangelized. Instead, he worked with his own hands. He says as much elsewhere –

“I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. 34 Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. 35 I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20:33-35

Also –

“For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; 8 nor did we eat anyone’s bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, 9 not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us.
10 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.” 2 Thessalonians 7-10

Paul also refers to his work in 1 Corinthians 4:12 and 1 Thessalonians 2:9. His work in this manner should not be surprising as a large number of Jews throughout history have had particular skills that they possessed and worked with. Jesus Himself is noted by the word tektōn, translated by most as a carpenter, but which very well may have indicated a stonemason. As for Paul and Aquila, it next says, “for they were tentmakers by trade.”

The word is skénopoios, and it is also only found here in the New Testament. It comes from skéné, tent, and poieó, to make. As for the work itself, Ellicott says –

“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.”

Vincent’s Word Studies disagrees with this and says, “Not weavers of the goat’s-hair cloth of which tents were made, which could easily be procured at every large town in the Levant, but makers of tents used by shepherds and travellers. It was a trade lightly esteemed and poorly paid.” Even if the job was one looked down on, this did not appear to bother Paul in the least.

Life application: It is common in today’s churches that the pastor is paid entirely by the church. This includes his housing and many other fringe benefits. However, smaller churches may have pastors that might not live very well or who have to work other jobs to pay the bills. But there is nothing wrong with this. If one truly loves preaching, then having an extra job or two throughout the week should be considered a blessing and an honor. As Paul says –

“Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.” 1 Timothy 6:6-8

The idea of working in a trade is not unique to the Christian faith, Maimonides says that “the wise generally practice some of the arts, lest they should be dependent on the charity of others.” Likewise, Vincent’s Word Studies notes, “It was a Rabbinical principle that whoever does not teach his son a trade is as if he brought him up to be a robber. All the Rabbinical authorities in Christ’s time, and later, were working at some trade. Hillel, Paul’s teacher, was a wood-cutter, and his rival, Shammai, a carpenter. It is recorded of one of the celebrated Rabbis that he was in the habit of discoursing to his students from the top of a cask of his own making, which he carried every day to the academy.”

The roots from which the church sprang did not feel it was abasing to do such menial tasks. If Paul could do it and still work tirelessly in the mission field, it should be a badge of honor for pastors, preachers, evangelists, and missionaries to work with their own hands as well.

Lord God, Your word says that in having food and clothing it should be a source of contentment. We may need a dose of this ourselves in a world where we have to have more and more all the time. Help us to be productive, not feeding off of others, and willing to toil to whatever extent is necessary for this to come about. May it be so, to Your glory. Amen.