The term "tent-maker" refers to an individual who manufactures tents, a trade that holds particular significance in the New Testament. This occupation is notably associated with the Apostle Paul, who is described as a tent-maker by trade. The practice of tent-making is mentioned in the context of Paul's missionary journeys and his efforts to support himself financially while spreading the Gospel.

Biblical References:

The primary scriptural reference to tent-making is found in the Book of Acts. Acts 18:1-3 states: "After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. There he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to visit them, and because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked. They were tentmakers by trade."

This passage highlights several key aspects of tent-making in the biblical context:

1. Paul's Vocation: Paul, originally known as Saul of Tarsus, was trained as a tent-maker. This skill allowed him to support himself financially during his missionary work, ensuring that he was not a burden to the early Christian communities he served. His ability to work with his hands is a testament to his humility and dedication to the Gospel.

2. Partnership with Aquila and Priscilla: The mention of Aquila and Priscilla, fellow tent-makers, underscores the communal and collaborative nature of early Christian ministry. This couple became significant partners in Paul's mission, demonstrating the importance of shared labor and mutual support in the spread of Christianity.

3. Self-Sufficiency in Ministry: Paul's tent-making is often cited as an example of bivocational ministry, where a minister engages in secular work to support their religious mission. This approach allowed Paul to preach the Gospel freely, without financial dependence on the communities he served, as he notes in 1 Corinthians 9:12 : "If others have this right to your support, shouldn’t we have it all the more? But we did not use this right. Instead, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ."

Cultural and Historical Context:

In the ancient world, tent-making was a respected trade, essential for providing portable shelter in a largely agrarian and nomadic society. Tents were commonly used by travelers, soldiers, and shepherds. The skills involved in tent-making included working with leather and woven materials, tasks that required precision and craftsmanship.

Paul's background as a tent-maker reflects the Jewish tradition of teaching young men a trade, regardless of their scholarly pursuits. This practice ensured that they could sustain themselves and contribute to their communities.

Theological Implications:

The role of tent-making in Paul's life serves as a powerful metaphor for the Christian life. It illustrates the balance between spiritual and practical responsibilities, emphasizing the dignity of labor and the importance of self-reliance in ministry. Paul's example encourages believers to integrate their faith with their daily work, viewing their occupations as opportunities for witness and service.

Furthermore, tent-making underscores the principle of living a life that does not place unnecessary burdens on others, aligning with the Christian values of generosity, humility, and stewardship. Through his tent-making, Paul exemplified a life dedicated to the Gospel, demonstrating that one's vocation can be a means of glorifying God and advancing His kingdom.TENT-MAKER

tent'-mak-er (skenopoios): Mentioned only once (Acts 18:3). Paul's native province of Cilicia was noted for its goats' hair cloth which was exported under the name of cilicium and was used largely for tentmaking. We are told in the passage mentioned that Paul dwelt with Aquila and Priscilla, and worked with them at tent-making (compare Acts 20:34).

See also CRAFTS, II, 18.

4635. skenopoios -- making tents
... making tents. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: skenopoios Phonetic
Spelling: (skay-nop-oy-os') Short Definition: a tent-maker Definition: a tent ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4635.htm - 6k

2 Timothy ii. 7-Jan
... He was a tent-maker, a poor man, unskilled in the wisdom of those without, knowing
only the Hebrew tongue, a language despised by all, especially by the ...
/.../homily iv 2 timothy ii.htm

The Work of Paul.
... In noble self-denial he earned his subsistence with his own hands, as a tent-maker,
that he might not be burthensome to his congregations (mostly belonging to ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 32 the work of.htm

Rom. xv. 25-27
... in these good deeds. For what empress pray, was so conspicuous or so celebrated
as this wife of the tent-maker? she is in everybody's ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xxx rom xv 25-27.htm

First Missionary Journey Scripture
... Paul and his companion, or company, when they entered into a city would first seek
for a lodging and then for work, going from one tent maker's door to another ...
/.../sell/bible studies in the life of paul/study iii first missionary journey.htm

The Old Faiths and the New
... 18). When the Apostle came to Corinth he found a home with Aquila and Priscilla
and worked with them at his trade as a tent-maker. ...
/.../sell/bible studies in the life of paul/study viii the old faiths.htm

Acts XVIII
... he remained with them, and worked; for they were tent-makers by trade." To be thus
under the necessity of laboring as a journeyman tent-maker was certainly a ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xviii.htm

The First Sayings of Jesus --His Ideas of a Divine Father and of a ...
... The most celebrated doctors did so;[2] thus St. Paul, whose education had been
so carefully tended, was a tent-maker.[3] Jesus never married. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/renan/the life of jesus/chapter v the first sayings.htm

A Discourse of the Building, Nature, Excellency, and Government of ...
... Judging from this latter mode, we conclude that Bunyan the brazier was very nearly
related to, and descended from, Paul the tentmaker, and the other apostles. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a discourse of the building.htm

Chrysostom as a Preacher.
... places St. Paul far above him, and glories in the victory of the tent-maker
and fishermen over the wisdom of the Greeks. [37] He ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/chapter xiv chrysostom as a preacher.htm

Paul at Corinth
... would have lifted the lips of the rich men of Corinth if they had been told that
the greatest man in their city was that little Jew tent-maker, and that in ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/paul at corinth.htm

Tentmaker
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) One whose occupation it is to make tents.
Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. TENT-MAKER. tent'-mak-er ...
/t/tentmaker.htm - 7k

Tent-maker (1 Occurrence)
Tent-maker. Tentmaker, Tent-maker. Tentmakers . Int. ... (WEY BBE DBY WBS YLT
NAS). Tentmaker, Tent-maker. Tentmakers . Reference Bible.
/t/tent-maker.htm - 7k

Tenths (22 Occurrences)

/t/tenths.htm - 13k

Lodged (35 Occurrences)
... stocks. (WEY). Acts 18:3 and because he was of the same trade--that of
tent-maker--he lodged with them and worked with them. (WEY). ...
/l/lodged.htm - 16k

Tentmakers (1 Occurrence)

/t/tentmakers.htm - 6k

Tent (333 Occurrences)
... 1:5). Paul the apostle's occupation was that of a tent-maker (Acts 18:3); ie,
perhaps a maker of tent cloth. Noah Webster's Dictionary. ...
/t/tent.htm - 48k

Carpenter (4 Occurrences)
... the carpenter's son?" (Matthew 13:55); also, "Is not this the carpenter?" (Mark
6:3). Every Jew, even the rabbis, learned some handicraft: Paul was a tentmaker...
/c/carpenter.htm - 10k

Aquila (7 Occurrences)
... Eagle, a native of Pontus, by occupation a tent-maker, whom Paul met on his first
visit to Corinth (Acts 18:2). Along with his wife Priscilla he had fled from ...
/a/aquila.htm - 13k

Commerce (3 Occurrences)
... of all sorts; some of whom like Aquila and Priscilla (Acts 18:2, 18, 26), Lydia,
(Acts 16:14, 40) and Paul himself (who was a traveling tent-maker) were active ...
/c/commerce.htm - 15k

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