Most translations assume that Paul earned his living by making tents, though some commentators (Moffatt, Barclay) understand the word to mean that Paul was a leather worker. Earned his living is translated in some languages as “earned money to buy food” or “by working making tents he received food and shelter.”

The expression just as they did may be rendered as “they also did the same kind of work” or “they also made tents.” In some languages it is necessary to specify that the making of these tents was not for their own use but in order to sell as a part of their trade. Therefore the translation may be rendered as “they made tents and sold them.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on The Acts of the Apostles. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1972. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .