An exegetical study of the ground motive of Paul's tent-making implied in his letters

Abstract

What was the ground motive for Paul’s tent-making? In response to this question, some New Testament texts provide reasons for Paul’s tent-making based on the circumstances of individual churches. Also, social studies of Paul and his communities provide reasons for Paul’s tent-making based on the context in Greco-Roman society. In other words, most research on Paul’s tent-making point to contextual characteristics that are based on the context of the church or society at that time. Thus, because these characteristics are circumstantial in nature, it is difficult to deduce from them a ground motive for Paul’s tent-making. This study makes use of exegetical and literary analyses in order to identify the ground motive for Paul’s tent-making. Firstly, it is necessary to grasp the theological significance of Paul’s tent-making as indicated in the New Testament texts. The texts dealing with Paul’s tent-making show that his work was not merely a means of living but rather an embodiment of Christ’s suffering. Secondly, the factors were identified that influenced the theological significance of Paul’s tent-making. Paul’s tent-making represented self-sacrifice for others, and this concept is likely indirectly influenced by the theology of land in the Old Testament. Directly, the theological significance of Paul’s tent-making was greatly influenced by Paul’s encounter with the suffering Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus and his call for Paul to become a suffering apostle for the sake of the message of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ.