and because he practiced the same trade, he lived with them and worked, for by trade they were tent makers.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 3. Critics are divided in their opinions about the nature of Saint Paul’s employment: but it is generally supposed to be making tents of skins, such as were formerly used by travellers and soldiers. Tirinus.—Hence the expression, esse sub pellibus. The apostle submitted to this labour, that he might be no burden to those to whom he preached the gospel. Saint Augustine tract. in Joan.—The Jews, with their characteristic good sense, in matters of this kind, made it the first duty of parents, to teach their children some trade, by which they might gain their livelihood. To neglect this was supposed to be equivalent to teaching them to steal. Hence their learned men were likewise practitioners in some laborious trade. They were ignorant of the distinction between low, and honourable professions, which refinement and vanity have introduced among us. Every employment was honourable, which was conducive to the good of their neighbour, and compatible with virtue and modesty; and the more so, in proportion as the wants of mankind made it more necessary. See Fleury’s Manners of the Israelites. Passim.