Titus 2 Men And Women

Lydia - Woman Seeking God
By Teddi Neevel

Scripture: Acts 16:13-15
Background:

Act 16:13 And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither.
Act 16:14 And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.
Act 16:15 And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.

The women were gathered at a common spot…the riverside. They had come together as women are inclined to do and they were there with a purpose. They were there to pray together. This was an Asian city and there was no synagogue there. Yet, for some reason the women had started gathering together for prayer. Lydia was a common name for a Greek or Roman woman but not for a Jew.

Thyatira is an area that is recorded in history as being where the finest dyeing was done and their purple dyes were exceptional. Remember that purple was considered a royal color and was very expensive. Obviously, Lydia was very good at her trade because her household was large enough for her to invite the missionaries to come and stay in her home.

An analysis of verse 14 will help us to understand a bit more about Lydia.
“which worshipped (to revere, that is, adore: - devout, religious, worship.)
God--that is, was a proselyte to the Jewish faith, and as such present at this meeting.

whose heart (the thoughts or feelings mind) the Lord opened (to open thoroughly, literally (as a first born)--that is, the Lord Jesus (see Act_16:15; and compare Luk_24:45; Mat_11:27).

she attended to the things . . . spoken by Paul--"showing that the inclination of the heart towards the truth originates not in the will of man. The first disposition to turn to the Gospel is a work of grace" [OLSHAUSEN]. Observe here the place assigned to "giving attention" or "heed" to the truth--that species of attention which consists in having the whole mind engrossed with it, and in apprehending and drinking it in, in its vital and saving character.”(Jamieson, Fausset & Brown Commentary)

The Bible doesn’t tell us how long Paul and Timothy stayed there with Lydia in Philippi but they were there preaching for some time. 1 and 2 Corinthians were letters written from Philippi. The demon possessed girl followed them around as they preached. They were beaten and jailed, but the jailer and his family were saved. And when asked to leave the city they returned to Lydia’s home.

Act 16:40 And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed.

Now let’s turn to the book of Philippians chapter 1 and read the first 6 verses.

Phi 1:1 Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:
Phi 1:2 Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Phi 1:3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,
Phi 1:4 Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,
Phi 1:5 For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;
Phi 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

Now let’s turn on to chapter 4:1-4 where once again Paul acknowledges the help the women were in the establishment on the early church..

Phi 4:1 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.
Phi 4:2 I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.
Phi 4:3 And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.
Phi 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

This page has been displayed 3 times this month, 36 times since October 11, 2008.