So, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked; for by 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.
- KJV And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.
- BSB and he stayed and worked with them because they were tentmakers by trade, just as he was.
- 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 you remember, brothers, our labor and travail; for working night and day, that we might not burden any of you, we preached to you the Good News of God.
- 1 Cor 4:12We toil, working with our own hands. When people curse us, we bless. Being persecuted, we endure.
- 2 Th 3:8–9neither did we eat bread from anyone’s hand without paying for it, but in labor and travail worked night and day, that we might not burden any of you;
- 2 Cor 11:9When I was present with you and was in need, I wasn’t a burden on anyone, for the brothers, when they came from Macedonia, supplied the measure of my need. In everything I kept myself from being burdensome to you, and I will continue to do so.
- 2 Cor 11:7Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself that you might be exalted, because I preached to you God’s Good News free of charge?
- 2 Cor 12:13For what is there in which you were made inferior to the rest of the assemblies, unless it is that I myself was not a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong.
- Acts 20:34–35You yourselves know that these hands served my necessities, and those who were with me.
- 1 Cor 9:6–12Or have only Barnabas and I no right to not work?
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.