Charles Ellicott 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)

We may add to this motive the principle on which St. Paul acted of being all things to all men, and, therefore, as a Jew to Jews (1 Corinthians 9:20). A Nazarite vow would testify to all his brethren by blood that he did not despise the Law himself nor teach other Jews to despise it. (See Notes on Acts 21:21-24.) Such a vow, involving, as it did, for a time a greater asceticism than that of common life, furnishes a link in the succession of thoughts in 1 Corinthians 9:22–25, between the Apostle’s being made all things to all men and his keeping under his body, and bringing it into subjection.