Women of God
Lydia
If you don’t know Lydia’s story… Well, neither did I. All I knew was that she was a seller of purple and encountered Paul during one of his missionary journeys. One might think there’s not a lot to learn from this business woman; after all, she’s only spoken of in four short verses in Acts 16.
The incredible thing about scripture, about the Word of God, is that God can say and show us SO MUCH of His goodness through just four verses, two verses, one verse, even one word.
Though Lydia meets Paul in Acts 16, Paul becomes a minor character when we realize Acts 16:12-15 is really about God’s divine appointment with Lydia. Let’s take a look at the verses and then into her character.
Lydia’s Conversion in Philippi
12- “…We [Paul, Timothy, and Silas] traveled to Philippi, a Roman colony and the leading city of that district of Macedonia. And we stayed there several days. 13-On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. 14-One of those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. 15-When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. ‘If you consider me a believer in the Lord,’ she said, ‘come and stay at my house.’ And she persuaded us.”
Acts 16:12-15
Lydia’s Character
- The first thing we learn about Lydia is that she is gathered with other women “outside the city gate to the river”, an expected “place of prayer” (13). We don’t know if she and these other women are praying; scripture doesn’t say why they are there, but the reason why these women are gathered near the river is not as important as the reason why God has placed these women exactly where they are, exactly at the moment Paul and the other missionaries gather near the river to pray.
- The second thing we learn is that, when Paul, Silas, and Timothy begin to speak to these women, Lydia listens (14). This one word, ‘listen’, becomes so vital to the rest of her story. What is she listening to? What is Paul and the others talking about?
- We learn that Lydia is a seller of purple cloth from the city of Thyatira.
What’s So Special About Dyeing and Selling Purple Cloth?
Purple dye, especially during ancient times, was extremely hard to come by. Because of its rarity, clothes with purple hues was coveted and worn by those born of royal birth or those who were royal officials. This is why the color purple often represents royalty and wealth. https://www.biblestudy.org/bible-study-by-topic/meaning-of-colors-in-the-bible/meaning-of-color-purple.html
What Does This Mean for Lydia?
Since Lydia had her own business in selling purple (her name wasn’t attached to a husband or a boss–this was her business and her work), and since the Word of God takes the time to tell us this about her character, we can surmise Lydia would have been successful, wealthy, and also extremely busy. Keeping this in mind, when we read later of Lydia’s gift of hospitality, the fact she can be busy and still be hospitable speaks volumes about her character!
- In verse 14, Lydia is also described as “a worshiper of God.” Other translations say she is a “God-fearing woman.”
- She is “from the city of Thyatira”, which is in Lydia. There are scholars who believe scripture names her Lydia because of the city she lives in, and that her real name is unknown. Thyatira during this time was considered “the melting pot” of many nations; its waters were “well-adapted for dyeing”…specifically purple colors. https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/all-women-bible/Lydia
We’re going to revisit what Lydia is listening to and what happens next.
- Scripture says, “The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message” (14).
Lydia begins as a listener but is led BY GOD AND GOD ALONE to respond… Respond to what? Paul’s message. So what is Paul’s message? We are given a clue in the next verse.
- “…she and the members of her household were baptized…” (15). Not only is her heart opened to respond, she is led by God to inspire her family to do the same–to be baptized–a symbol of faith in Christ–a public proclamation of understanding and accepting that Christ is Lord. Can you see God’s hand in this? Do you see now why God conveniently placed Paul and these women next to the river? Our God is the conductor of mercy and grace.
** While it already states that Lydia is a “worshiper of God” in verse 14, she is responding to Paul’s message to boldly proclaim the name of Jesus–of Truth. To not keep silent. To not be ashamed of the Gospel. To share the joy of the Lord and the Gospel with others. To live for Christ every moment of every day. Think about it. Paul is a missionary. His very purpose is to spread the Gospel and, by the Holy Spirit’s power, make disciples of Jesus along the way–Disciples who will thirst and hunger for the Word, who will continually grow spiritually, who will use their God-given gifts to serve others and to bring God glory. This is the message Lydia listens to, responds to, and accepts. In this moment, Lydia’s spiritual health strengthens immensely. **
The Gift of Hospitality
- God gives Lydia the gift of hospitality. Immediately after she is baptized, she invites and persuades Paul and his men to stay at her house (15).
The word ‘persuades’ seems to mean she had to do some convincing. A modern conversation might sound something like this:
“Come and stay at my house,” said Lydia.
“Thank you for the offer, but you don’t need to open up your home to us,” Paul said. “I know you are busy.”
“Nonsense! I would love to welcome you into my home. You must come.”
Paul looked to Silas and Timothy. “Well,” he said, “we really don’t want to impose…”
Lydia straightened her spine, cocked her brow, and said, “I insist. Please, you are welcome at my home any time. It would be a joy for me to welcome you.”
I’m sure you’ve heard similar conversations before. Perhaps you’ve “argued” with your best friend on who’s paying for dinner. Perhaps you’ve gone to stay at someone’s home, perfectly content to sleep on his/her couch, but instead, they insist you sleep in a nice, warm bed while they take the couch.
The Greek word for ‘hospitality’ is philoneksia, which means to show warmth and friendliness to strangers (and friends and family) and the readiness to share generosity… https://biblehub.com/greek/5381.htm
It is through the Holy Spirit’s drawing that Lydia was ready to share generosity. This was her gift, her joy, what she insisted upon. It would not make sense that Lydia only opened up her home this one time. Even though she is only seen in a small portion of scripture, don’t forget that “the Lord opened her heart to respond” (14). The Lord transformed Lydia’s heart that day, and she responded in obedience. The result of her obedience was not only God’s gift of hospitality but the joy she received from being hospitable.
What Can We Learn From Lydia’s Story?
- When we are still and listen to God’s Word–not just hear but truly listen–God will open our hearts to respond in obedience. This is the kind of listening Mary did in Luke 10:39. Mary “sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said.” It’s the kind of listening that involves surrender–complete abandonment of everything else around her, no distractions. What two things do Lydia and Mary have in common? Mary is listening to the Word of God; Lydia is also listening to Paul’s message, which is the Word of God.
- We may be worshipers of God like Lydia, but if we don’t make that public through our words and our actions, who will know? Our goal and our focus as Christ-followers should be to bring glory to Christ by making “disciples of all the nations…teaching them to observe all of [the Lord’s commands]” (Matt. 28:19-20). Therefore, we must not keep silent. In being baptized, Lydia took a major step in becoming a disciple who makes disciples.
- Responding in obedience leads to joy and the desire to use our spiritual gifts. As we grow in our faith, our desire and our urgency to proclaim Christ and serve others using our spiritual gifts should become stronger, no matter how busy we are with other things.
Lydia was in the business of selling purple, but she was also in the business of serving her Savior. Of those two, which do you think she considered more important?