Lexical Summary skénopoios: Tentmaker Original Word: σκηνοποιός Strong's Exhaustive Concordance tent-maker. From skene and poieo; a manufacturer of tents -- tent-maker. see GREEK skene see GREEK poieo NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom skéné and poieó Definition making tents NASB Translation tent-makers (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4635: σκηνοποιόςσκηνοποιός, σκηνοποιου, ὁ (σκηνή and ποιέω), a tent-real'cf, equivalent to σκηνορραφος (Aelian v. h. 2, 1); one that made small portable tents, of leather or cloth of goats' hair (Latincilicium) or linen, for the use of travellers: Acts 18:3 (cf. Meyer at the passage; Woldemar Schmidt in Herzog edition 2 vol. xi., p. 359f). Topical Lexicon Meaning and Usage Strong’s Greek 4635 names a craftsperson who fashions tents. The word appears only once in the New Testament (Acts 18:3), yet it unlocks a rich vein of historical, missional, and theological insight that threads through Scripture. Historical Background First-century tents were normally made of goat-hair cloth or leather. Cilicia, Paul’s native province, was famous for a dark, weather-resistant fabric (cilicium) spun from the black goats that roamed its hills. Because every Roman legionary carried a leather or cloth tent section, and because merchants, travelers, and nomadic shepherds continually needed shelter, tent-making was a portable, in-demand trade. A Jewish boy was expected to learn a manual skill regardless of future studies; rabbinic tradition declared, “He who does not teach his son a trade teaches him robbery.” Paul, trained under Gamaliel, also mastered this practical craft, enabling him to earn a livelihood wherever the gospel led him. Biblical Context (Acts 18:1–4) When Paul arrived in Corinth he “found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla… and because he was of the same trade, he stayed and worked with them, for they were tentmakers by trade” (Acts 18:2-3). Luke’s brief notice does several things: Ministry Significance 1. Freedom from financial entanglements Paul refused to let material support hinder the advance of the gospel. “We worked night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you” (1 Thessalonians 2:9). He waived an apostolic right (1 Corinthians 9:12) to silence accusations and to demonstrate that grace is offered “free of charge” (1 Corinthians 9:18). 2. Integration of work and witness By practicing his trade in the marketplace, Paul met unbelievers in their ordinary routines and earned credibility among converts. The synagogue and workshop together became arenas for evangelism (Acts 18:4). Hard labor illustrated his message: “We work hard with our own hands” (1 Corinthians 4:12). 3. Discipleship and reproduction Aquila and Priscilla likely sharpened their theological understanding during shared hours at the workbench, later instructing Apollos “more accurately” (Acts 18:26). Tentmaking proved to be a greenhouse for mentoring. Theological Implications • Dignity of Vocation: Scripture presents labor as a divine gift (Genesis 2:15). Paul’s example demolishes any sacred-secular divide; craftsmanship done “for the Lord” (Colossians 3:23) possesses inherent worth. Practical Application for the Church • Encourage marketplace ministry: Believers can view their skills as platforms for kingdom impact. Related Terms and Concepts • Skené – “tent, tabernacle,” the temporary dwelling of God’s people (Hebrews 11:9) and metaphor for the human body (2 Corinthians 5:1). Conclusion Though Strong’s 4635 surfaces only once, its lone appearance shines a spotlight on the harmonious blend of manual labor and spiritual ministry. The tentmaker of Acts 18:3 teaches that the gospel flourishes when servants of Christ combine skilled hands, self-sacrificing hearts, and unwavering proclamation of the risen Lord. Forms and Transliterations σκηνοποιοι σκηνοποιοί σκηνοποιοὶ skenopoioi skenopoioì skēnopoioi skēnopoioìLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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