In this city, as well as in many other places, the apostle supported himself by the labour of his own hands.  It was now customary, even for Israelites in easy circumstances, to train up their children to some mechanical employment, so that should they sink into penury, they could still, by manual industry, procure a livelihood. [110:2] Paul had been taught the trade of a tent-maker, or manufacturer of awnings of hair-cloth—­articles much used in the East as a protection against the rays of the sun, by travellers and mariners; It was in connexion with this occupation that lie became acquainted with Aquila and Priscilla.  “Because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought.” [110:3] The Jew and his wife had probably a large manufactory, and thus they could furnish the apostle with remunerative employment.  Whilst under their roof, he did not neglect the opportunities he enjoyed of presenting the gospel to their attention, and both soon became his ardent and energetic coadjutors in missionary service.

The conduct of Paul in working with his own hands, whilst engaged in the dissemination of the gospel, is a noble example of Christian self-denial.  He could, it appears, expect little assistance from the mother church of Antioch; and had he, in the first instance, demanded support from those to whom he now ministered, he would have exposed himself and his cause to the utmost suspicion.  In a commercial city, such as Corinth, he would have been regarded by many as a mere adventurer who had resorted to a new species of speculation in the hope of obtaining a maintenance.  His disinterested behaviour placed him at once beyond the reach of this imputation; and his intense love to Christ prepared him to make the sacrifice, which the course he thus adopted, required.  And what a proof of the humility of Paul that he cheerfully laboured for his daily bread at the trade of a tent-maker!  The Rabbi who was once admired for his genius and his learning by the most distinguished of his countrymen—­who had once sat among the members of the great Sanhedrim—­and who might have legitimately aspired to be the son-in-law of the High Priest of Israel [111:1]—­was now content to toil “night and day” at a menial occupation sitting among the workmen of Aquila and Priscilla!  How like to Him, who, though He was rich, yet, for our sakes, became poor, that we, through His poverty, might be rich!

Paul was well aware of the importance of Corinth as a centre of missionary influence.  Strangers from the East passed through it on their way to Rome, and travellers from the Western metropolis stopped here on their way to Asia Minor, Palestine, or Syria, so that it was one of the greatest thoroughfares in the Empire; and, as a commercial mart, it was second to very few cities in the world.  The apostle therefore saw that if a Church could be firmly planted in this busy capital, it could scatter the seeds of truth to all the ends of the earth.  We may thus understand