Acts 18:3

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

Acts 18:3 (KJV)

Context

Paul had just left Athens, where he reasoned with philosophers, before arriving in Corinth. There he met Aquila and Priscilla, a Jewish couple who had recently come from Italy because the Emperor Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Rome (Acts 18:1-2). They were tentmakers by trade, and Paul, himself a tentmaker, chose to live and work with them.

Meaning

The verse says Paul “abode with them, and wrought,” indicating that he stayed in their home and worked alongside them. The Greek word for “craft” or “occupation” refers to a specific trade or skill. Paul, though a highly educated Pharisee and an apostle, was not ashamed to earn his living by manual labor. His decision to work as a tentmaker was practical: he was a stranger in Corinth with no local church yet to support him, and he supported himself by his own hands.

Biblical connections

Paul’s practice of self-support appears elsewhere in his ministry. He later reminded the Ephesian elders that his own hands had ministered to his needs (Acts 20:34), and he worked in Thessalonica to avoid being a burden to anyone (2 Thessalonians 3:8-9). This was not a universal rule for all believers, but it was Paul’s personal practice when possible, and it removed obstacles to the Gospel.

Application

Acts 18:3 teaches the dignity of labor and the value of using our skills and professions as opportunities for ministry. Paul’s work as a tentmaker provided financial support and also created natural connections with people from all walks of life. Our daily work can be a platform for building relationships and sharing the love of Christ. The shared trade between Paul and Aquila and Priscilla also shows the importance of unity and partnership in Christian ministry. When believers share both faith and vocation, they can encourage and support one another in advancing God’s kingdom.

Reflection

Paul’s example reminds us that no legitimate work is beneath a believer. Whether our occupation is seen as humble or prestigious, it can be used for God’s glory. As we go about our daily tasks, we can follow Paul’s example of diligence, self-sufficiency, and willingness to connect with others for the sake of the Gospel.