Tent Makers - Acts 18:1-3

Paul experiences some success in Athens and presumably establishes a branch of believers there, and then he leaves and travels to Corinth. This is a relatively famous place in Christendom because of the later letters that Paul writes to the believers there making 1^stand 2^nd Corinthians. But Paul’s actions in Rome are interesting and give us some perspective on early missionary work. After arriving in Corinth, Paul “found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come fro Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome) and came unto them.”

Right now I am listening to a very in depth podcast called “The History of Rome” by Mike Duncan, it is excellent. While listening to the part where he discusses Claudius, I remember thinking “this is around the time that I’m studying in the Bible.” I have found that it gives me a lot of perspective into New Testament times because this whole area is part of Rome for the entirety of the book so there are cultural and civic parts that are significant. It’s interesting that a Jew would have a Roman name “Aquila” but because he came from Italy it makes sense.
Paul met up with this couple “and because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.” I had no idea what this verse meant at all. Initially I thought that Aquila and Priscilla were the tent makers but the IM says, “Paul traveled to Corinth, where he worked in his trade as a tentmaker to support himself. He may have worked in his trade in other cities in order to avoid being a burden on the Saints he served.” I honestly had not considered how he had food to eat or clothes to wear or money to travel but I guess it would make sense that he had a trade and that he could work freelance at that trade in order to support himself and his missionary efforts.
I just want to point out that apparently tent making was valuable enough of a skill that it made Paul and Aquila enough money to support themselves and their families. This also means that God would have known what he would need these missionaries for during their life times and gave them a profession that could travel well and be profitable enough to make a sufficient money in a short amount of time. I feel like I was very blessed with my profession, and that the Lord set it up specifically for me, and it’s just interesting for me to see that he has done that for others as well.
The people that the Lord calls into his service have to work hard for him, but usually they have already learned the concept of a strong work ethic before they engage with the work. The IM quotes Elder Bruce R. McConkie as teaching, “Jesus was a carpenter, Peter was a fisherman, Matthew a tax collector; Brigham Young was a carpenter, painter, and glarier, Heber J. Grant a businessman, David O. McKay a teacher; Paul and Aquila were tentmakers… Work is honorable, indeed is an essential part of one’s mortal probation.” The first time I heard the phrase “work in an eternal principle,” I cried a little bit on the inside.
As a single mom, I used to feel the guilt of working so much, it was intense, but really, I mean I did what I had to do, I didn’t have other options. But there was a general conference talk by Elder D. Tood Christofferson, around 2014 that said something to the effect of “working to support your family is a consecrated effort.” That brought so much peace to me and the guilt has been gone ever since. Working along side someone and contributing positively to society helps people relate to you and helps them feel safe about your intentions. Paul demonstrates that when he is aware of his impact on those he is there to serve and does what he has to do to ensure that the mission can continue.