Which of the following is a vocation of the Apostle Paul?

• A. Carpenter
• B. Sailor
• C. Tent-maker
• D. Farmer

Answer: (C)

Paul is identified in Scripture as a tent-maker by trade, and this shaped how he carried out his ministry. Acts 18:3 notes that he worked as a tentmaker with Aquila and Priscilla, which shows that his livelihood during his travels came from this craft rather than from a church stipend. He also emphasizes a pattern of self-support in his letters, highlighting that he worked with his own hands so as not to be a burden to others (as in his ministry among the Thessalonians). This practical vocation allowed him to preach the gospel while maintaining independence and credibility, modeling a balanced approach to ministry that meets needs through honest work. The other trades listed—carpenter, sailor, or farmer—do not fit the biblical description of Paul’s primary occupation; the record consistently presents him as a tent-maker, making that his defining vocational identity.