What Does Acts 18:3 Mean in the King James?
And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The word translated both “craft” and “occupation” comes from the same Greek root, so Paul’s shared work is also the reason he shares their home.
THE MEANING
A shared skill can make room for both work and belonging: the craft gives people a reason to stay together and a way to contribute. The verse holds dwelling and working side by side.
THE ROOT
ὁμότεχνον
homotechnon
GROWS FROM
τεχν-
techn-
Skill, craft, art.
“same craft / occupation” in this verse is homotechnon. The Greek names the shared craft as the reason Paul stays, then names the craft again when it explains their work as tent-makers. “Craft” and “occupation” are linked by the repeated τεχν- (techn-), shared skill becomes both a bond and a livelihood.
ALSO GROWS
technē: Skill, craft, or occupation.
τέχνη
This is the word used for their occupation, repeating the root in “same craft.”
technitēs: Artisan or skilled maker.
τεχνίτης
This related word names the person shaped by the same root of skilled making.
σκηνοποιοί
skēnopoioi
GROWS FROM
σκην-
skēn-
Tent, shelter, or tent-like dwelling.
“tentmakers” in this verse is skēnopoioi. The word combines σκηνή (skēnē, tent) with ποιέω (poieō, make): these are literally tent-makers. The σκην- (skēn-) family also supplies a Greek verb for dwelling in a tent, bringing the work of making shelter close to the act of dwelling.
ALSO GROWS
skēnē: Tent, shelter, or tabernacle.
σκηνή
This is the dwelling named within “tent-makers.”
skēnoō: To dwell in a tent, or to tabernacle.
σκηνόω
This related verb connects tent-making with dwelling among people.
THE PATTERN
Work connects people by sustaining both their own needs and the needs of others.
Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.THE THREAD
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.John’s “dwelt” is σκηνόω (skēnoō), to dwell in a tent or tabernacle. Acts calls these workers σκηνοποιοί (skēnopoioi), tent-makers; their craft echoes the language of dwelling among people.
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