What is a tentmaker?

[DarkNebulaWelder]

I'm not sure if this is the right forum in which to post this question, but what exactly is a "tentmaker?"

I know that Paul was a tentmaker, but not sure what that is.

Is it literal, like some dude who makes tents, or does it mean something else?

[Openly Curious]

I'm not sure if this is the right forum in which to post this question, but what exactly is a "tentmaker?"

I know that Paul was a tentmaker, but not sure what that is.

Is it literal, like some dude who makes tents, or does it mean something else?

Hello,

Tents were a commodity back in those days as people literally lived in them like we do our houses today. But answer to your question yes apostle Paul earned his living as a literal tentmaker back then as that was his trade. Paul used the money that he got from being a tentmaker and traveled on his missionary journeys paying his own way instead of taking money from the church to do it. The times were so different back then that for sure.

OC

[DarkNebulaWelder]

I'm not sure if this is the right forum in which to post this question, but what exactly is a "tentmaker?"

I know that Paul was a tentmaker, but not sure what that is.

Is it literal, like some dude who makes tents, or does it mean something else?

Hello,

Tents were a commodity back in those days as people literally lived in them like we do our houses today. But answer to your question yes apostle Paul earned his living as a literal tentmaker back then as that was his trade. Paul used the money that he got from being a tentmaker and traveled on his missionary journeys paying his own way instead of taking money from the church to do it. The times were so different back then that for sure.

OC

Didn't Paul have a lot of education behind him?

For some reason, I thought he paid for his missionary journeys by teaching?

Or was that just when he was a pharisee?

[nebula]

Paul often worked so as not to burden his congregation with his financial needs.

Acts 18:3 - So, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked; for by occupation they were tentmakers.

Acts 20

33 I have coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. 34 Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. 35 I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' "

[Openly Curious]

Paul often worked so as not to burden his congregation with his financial needs.

Acts 18:3 - So, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked; for by occupation they were tentmakers.

Acts 20

33 I have coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. 34 Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. 35 I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' "

Nebula,

Also yes apostle Paul was a very educated man who was taught at the feet of Gamiliel as Paul was a born again Jew and that never changed and his status as a Jew did not change because he got saved he just counted all of those things as dung or loss in light of knowing the truth that Jesus was indeed the Messiah.

OC

[Guest shiloh357]

I'm not sure if this is the right forum in which to post this question, but what exactly is a "tentmaker?"

I know that Paul was a tentmaker, but not sure what that is.

Is it literal, like some dude who makes tents, or does it mean something else?

Hello,

Tents were a commodity back in those days as people literally lived in them like we do our houses today. But answer to your question yes apostle Paul earned his living as a literal tentmaker back then as that was his trade. Paul used the money that he got from being a tentmaker and traveled on his missionary journeys paying his own way instead of taking money from the church to do it. The times were so different back then that for sure.

OC

Didn't Paul have a lot of education behind him?

For some reason, I thought he paid for his missionary journeys by teaching?

Or was that just when he was a pharisee?

In ancient Israel, Rabbis did not live off of being a Rabbi. They believed that everyone, Rabbis included should have a regular job. Israel's greatest Rabbi/sage Hillel, for example was also wood cutter, or what we would call, a "Lumbarjack." Other famous Rabbis were were metal workers, stone cutters, and of course Jesus who was also a Rabbi, was Himself, a carpenter. Paul was a tentmaker and Nebula is correct. He would work so that his financial needs were taken care of.

[EricH]

Paul often worked so as not to burden his congregation with his financial needs.

Acts 18:3 - So, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked; for by occupation they were tentmakers.

Acts 20

33 I have coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. 34 Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. 35 I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' "

Although, Paul did defend the ability of the minister to earn his living from his ministerial work. God calls different people to different things. One is not better than the other

If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it too much if we reap material things from you?

1 Corinthians 9:11 HCSB

The elders who are good leaders should be considered worthy of an ample honorarium, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says: You must not muzzle an ox that is threshing grain, and, The laborer is worthy of his wages.

1 Timothy 5:17-18 HCSB

[EricH]

Today, tentmakers are typically people who go to a culture that is closed to the gospel. They have a secular profession that they use to get into the country, then spread the gospel through the relationships they develop as a result of that profession. They cannot go in as a missionary because the country in question will not permit people to enter their borders as missionaries. They will allow people to enter as computer scientists, doctors, nurses, engineers, etc..

[Openly Curious]

Paul often worked so as not to burden his congregation with his financial needs.

Acts 18:3 - So, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked; for by occupation they were tentmakers.

Acts 20

33 I have coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. 34 Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. 35 I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' "

Although, Paul did defend the ability of the minister to earn his living from his ministerial work. God calls different people to different things. One is not better than the other

If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it too much if we reap material things from you?

1 Corinthians 9:11 HCSB

The elders who are good leaders should be considered worthy of an ample honorarium, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says: You must not muzzle an ox that is threshing grain, and, The laborer is worthy of his wages.

1 Timothy 5:17-18 HCSB

oc

[nebula]

True, but I do not necessarily believe Paul "made a living" off of donations.