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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.
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