Albert Barnes Commentary Acts 18:3

"and because he was of the same trade, he abode with them, and they wrought, for by their trade they were tentmakers." — Acts 18:3 (ASV)

The same craft. Of the same trade, or occupation.

And wrought. And worked at that occupation. Why he did it, the historian does not state, but it seems quite evident that it was because he had no other means of support. He also labored for his own support in Ephesus (Acts 20:34) and also at Thessalonica (2 Thessalonians 3:9–10). The apostle was not ashamed of honest industry for a livelihood, nor did he consider it any discredit that a minister of the gospel should labor with his own hands.

For by their occupation. By their trade; that is, they had been brought up in this business. Paul had been originally intended to be a lawyer and had been brought up at the feet of Gamaliel. But it was a regular custom among the Jews to train their sons in some useful employment, so that they might have the means of an honest livelihood.

Even though they were trained in the liberal sciences, they still considered a handicraft trade, or some honorable occupation, an indispensable part of education. Thus Maimonides (in the Tract Talmud. Tors, c. i. & 9) says that "the wise generally practice some of the arts, so that they might not be dependent on the charity of others." (See Grotius.)

The wisdom of this is obvious; and it is equally clear that a custom of this kind now might preserve the health and lives of many professional men, and save from ignoble dependence or vice, in future years, many who are raised in the lap of indulgence and wealth.

They were tentmakers. skhnopoioi. There have been various opinions about the meaning of this word. Many have supposed that it denotes a weaver of tapestry. Luther translated it this way. But it is probable that it denotes, as in our translation, a manufacturer of tents, made of skin or cloth. In eastern countries, where there was much travel, where there were no inns, and where many were shepherds, such a business could be useful and a profitable source of income. It was an honorable occupation, and Paul was not ashamed to be employed in it.