And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.
Parallel translations
- WEB and because he practiced the same trade, he lived with them and worked, for by trade they were tent makers.
- BSB and he stayed and worked with them because they were tentmakers by trade, just as he was.
- 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 2:9For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.
- 1 Cor 4:12And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:
- 2 Th 3:8–9Neither did we eat any man’s bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:
- 2 Cor 11:9And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself.
- 2 Cor 11:7Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?
- 2 Cor 12:13For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong.
- Acts 20:34–35Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.
- 1 Cor 9:6–12Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?
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.