The apostle Paul's vocation was:

• A. Philosopher
• B. Merchant
• C. Scribe
• D. Tent-maker

Answer: (D)

The main idea here is how Paul supported his missionary work. He earned his living through a trade—tentmaking—sharing that work with Aquila and Priscilla in Corinth. This is stated in Acts, where it notes that Paul “wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers,” showing that his vocation was practical labor rather than a completely separate religious role. This self-supporting approach mattered for ministry because it allowed him to preach without becoming a financial burden to churches, and it also gave him regular contact with ordinary working people in the marketplace, reinforcing his message through lived experience. The pattern is echoed in his writings, where he describes laboring with his own hands to provide for himself.

So, the best answer reflects the biblical record: Paul’s vocation was tent-maker. He was not described as a philosopher, a merchant, or a scribe in his primary vocation, even though he engaged with various audiences and had formal training. The tentmaking detail provides a concrete picture of his basic way of supporting himself while he preached.