and he stayed and worked with them because they were tentmakers by trade, just as he was.
Parallel translations
- WEB and because he practiced the same trade, he lived with them and worked, for by trade they were tent makers.
- KJV And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.
- NKJV So, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked; for by occupation they were tentmakers.
- NASB and because he was of the same trade he stayed with them, and they worked together, for they were tent-makers by trade.
- NLT Paul lived and worked with them, for they were tentmakers just as he was.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Paul stayed and worked with Aquila and Priscilla because they shared his trade of tentmaking, supporting himself rather than burdening the church.
Overview
Paul's manual labor as a tentmaker let him preach without charge, removing any suspicion that he sought personal gain (1 Cor. 9:6-18; 1 Thess. 2:9). His example dignifies ordinary work and shows ministry sustained by self-sacrifice. It also deepened his partnership with this couple, blending shared labor and shared faith.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 8
- 1 Th 2:9Surely 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.
- 1 Cor 4:12We work hard with our own hands. When we are vilified, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it;
- 2 Th 3:8–9nor 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.
- 2 Cor 11:9And 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.
- 2 Cor 11:7Was it a sin for me to humble myself in order to exalt you, because I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge?
- 2 Cor 12:13In what way were you inferior to the other churches, except that I was not a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!
- Acts 20:34–35You yourselves know that these hands of mine have ministered to my own needs and those of my companions.
- 1 Cor 9:6–12Or are Barnabas and I the only apostles who must work for a living?
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Acts is the risen Christ continuing his work by the Spirit through the church, as the apostles preach that there is salvation in no other name under heaven.
How Acts 18:3 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.