Acts 16:14
Among 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.
Among those listening
This phrase sets the scene in a communal context, indicating that Lydia was part of a group gathered to hear the message. The Greek word for "listening" (ἀκούω, akouo) implies not just hearing but understanding and considering. This suggests an active engagement with the message, highlighting the importance of being attentive to God's word.

a woman named Lydia
Lydia is introduced by name, which is significant in the biblical narrative as it personalizes her account and highlights her importance. The name Lydia may also indicate her origin from the region of Lydia in Asia Minor, suggesting her cultural and geographical background. This personal detail underscores the individual nature of God's call and the personal relationship He seeks with each believer.

a dealer in purple cloth
This phrase indicates Lydia's occupation and social status. Purple cloth was a luxury item in the ancient world, often associated with wealth and royalty. The Greek term for "dealer" (πόλις, polis) suggests she was a businesswoman of some standing. Her profession implies that she was a woman of means and influence, which God used to further His kingdom.

from the city of Thyatira
Thyatira was a city known for its trade and industry, particularly in textiles and dyeing. This historical context provides insight into Lydia's background and the skills she likely possessed. It also highlights the spread of the Gospel beyond Jewish territories into Gentile regions, fulfilling the Great Commission.

who was a worshiper of God
This phrase identifies Lydia as a "God-fearer," a Gentile who worshiped the God of Israel but had not fully converted to Judaism. The Greek term used here (σεβομένη, sebomene) indicates reverence and devotion. Lydia's spiritual openness and reverence for God prepared her heart to receive the Gospel.

The Lord opened her heart
This phrase emphasizes the divine initiative in salvation. The Greek word for "opened" (διανοίγω, dianoigo) suggests a supernatural act of God, enabling Lydia to understand and accept the message. It underscores the belief that faith is a gift from God, and conversion is a work of the Holy Spirit.

to respond to Paul’s message
Lydia's response to Paul's message signifies her acceptance of the Gospel. The Greek word for "respond" (προσέχω, prosecho) implies a deliberate and attentive action. This highlights the importance of not only hearing the Gospel but also actively embracing it. Lydia's conversion marks the beginning of the church in Philippi, demonstrating the power of the Gospel to transform lives and communities.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Lydia
A prominent woman from Thyatira, known for her trade in purple cloth, which was a luxury item in the ancient world. She is described as a "worshiper of God," indicating her reverence for the God of Israel, despite being a Gentile.

2. Thyatira
A city in the region of Lydia, known for its trade and commerce, particularly in textiles and dyes. It was part of the Roman province of Asia.

3. Paul
The apostle who was on his second missionary journey, spreading the Gospel and establishing churches. His message was instrumental in Lydia's conversion.

4. Philippi
The city where this event takes place. It was a Roman colony and a significant location for early Christian evangelism.

5. The Lord's Intervention
The divine action where God opens Lydia's heart, enabling her to accept the Gospel message preached by Paul.
Teaching Points
The Role of Divine Sovereignty in Salvation
Lydia's conversion illustrates that it is ultimately God who opens hearts to the Gospel. This should encourage believers to rely on prayer and the Holy Spirit in evangelism.

The Importance of Being a Worshiper of God
Lydia was already a worshiper of God, which prepared her heart to receive the Gospel. This highlights the importance of seeking God and being open to His truth.

The Influence of Godly Women in the Early Church
Lydia's conversion and subsequent hospitality to Paul and his companions show the significant role women played in the early church. This encourages women today to be active participants in ministry.

The Power of the Gospel to Cross Cultural and Economic Barriers
Lydia, a successful businesswoman from a different cultural background, embraced the Gospel, demonstrating its universal appeal and power to transcend societal divisions.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Lydia's profession as a dealer in purple cloth reflect her social and economic status, and how might this have influenced her reception of the Gospel?

2. In what ways does the opening of Lydia's heart by the Lord challenge our understanding of human free will and divine sovereignty?

3. How can Lydia's example as a worshiper of God before her conversion inspire us in our spiritual journey and openness to God's leading?

4. What role did hospitality play in Lydia's life after her conversion, and how can we apply this principle in our own lives and communities?

5. How does Lydia's account encourage us to share the Gospel with people from different cultural and economic backgrounds, and what other biblical examples support this approach?
Connections to Other Scriptures
John 6:44
This verse speaks about the necessity of the Father drawing individuals to Christ, similar to how the Lord opened Lydia's heart.

Proverbs 16:1
This verse highlights that while humans can make plans, it is the Lord who directs the heart, paralleling the divine intervention in Lydia's conversion.

1 Corinthians 1:26-29
These verses discuss how God often chooses the humble and lowly, like Lydia, to shame the wise and strong, emphasizing God's sovereignty in salvation.
Lydia, the First European ConvertCharles Haddon Spurgeon Acts 16:14
The Opened HeartR. Tuck Acts 16:14
The Opened HeartR.A. Redford Acts 16:11-15
The Opened Heart; Or, the Power of Divine GentlenessW. Clarkson Acts 16:11-15
The Day that Looked Like the Day of Small ThingsP.C. Barker Acts 16:14, 15, 40
People
Lydia, Paul, Silas, Timotheus, Timothy
Places
Asia, Bithynia, Derbe, Galatia, Iconium, Jerusalem, Lystra, Macedonia, Mysia, Neapolis, Philippi, Phrygia, Samothrace, Thyatira, Troas
Topics
Attend, Attended, Attention, Belonged, Cloth, Dealer, Ear, Fabrics, God-fearing, Goods, Hearers, Hearing, Heart, Heed, Listen, Listening, Lydia, Message, Named, Open, Opened, Paul, Paul's, Purple, Respond, Saying, Seller, Spoken, Thyateira, Thyatira, Thyati'ra, Town, Trader, Worshiped, Worshiper, Worshipped, Worshipper, Worshipping
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Acts 16:14

     3248   Holy Spirit, conviction
     4807   colours
     5159   hearing
     5165   listening
     5932   response
     8330   receptiveness

Acts 16:13-15

     2426   gospel, responses

Acts 16:13-21

     5745   women

Acts 16:14-15

     5016   heart, fallen and redeemed
     6629   conversion, examples
     7907   baptism, practice
     7953   mission, of church

Library
Paul at Philippi
'And on the sabbath day we went forth without the gate, by a river side, where we supposed there was a place of prayer; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which were come together.' --ACTS xvi. 13 (R.V.). This is the first record of the preaching of the Gospel in Europe, and probably the first instance of it. The fact that the vision of the man of Macedonia was needed in order to draw the Apostle across the straits into Macedonia, and the great length at which the incidents at Philippi are
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

How to Secure a Prosperous Voyage
'And after [Paul] had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them. 11. Therefore ... we came with a straight course.'--ACTS xvi. 10, 11. This book of the Acts is careful to point out how each fresh step in the extension of the Church's work was directed and commanded by Jesus Christ Himself. Thus Philip was sent by specific injunction to 'join himself' to the chariot of the Ethiopian statesman.
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

The Riot at Philippi
'And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers, 20. And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city, 21. And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans. 22. And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them. 23. And when they had laid many
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

The Great Question and the Plain Answer
'He brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31. And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shall be saved.'--ACTS xvi. 30, 31. The keeper of a Macedonian jail was not likely to be a very nervous or susceptible person. And so the extraordinary state of agitation and panic into which this rough jailer was cast needs some kind of explanation. There had been, as you will all remember, an earthquake of a strange kind, for it not only opened the prison doors, but shook
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

Household Salvation
To allure and encourage you to long for family religion, I have selected this text this morning. God grant it may answer the purpose designed. May many here have a spiritual hunger and thirst, that they may receive the blessing which so largely rested upon the Philippian jailer. Note in our text five things. We have a whole household hearing the word, a whole household believing it, a whole household baptized, a whole household working for God, and then, a whole household rejoicing. I. Observe, first,
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 17: 1871

Lydia, the First European Convert
WE MAY LAUDABLY EXERCISE CURIOSITY with regard to the first proclamation of the gospel in our own quarter of the globe. We are happy that history so accurately tells us, by the pen of Luke, when first the gospel was preached in Europe, and by whom, and who was the first convert brought by that preaching to the Savior's feet. I half envy Lydia that she should be the leader of the European band; yet I feel right glad that a woman led the van, and that her household followed so closely in the rear.
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 37: 1891

The Cry of the Heathen
And now, beloved, having thus prefaced our discourse, we have another observation to make before we proceed to a full discussion of the text. What an instance of Divine sovereignty we have in our text! He who is wise can see sovereignty everywhere in the work of salvation, but how clearly is it present here. Bithynia must not hear the gospel; the apostle desires to go and preach it there; but as yet, it seems, God does not intend that Bithynia should be evangelised. He desires to tarry in Asia, and
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 4: 1858

The Heavenly Father
ACTS xvi. 24-28. God that made the world, and all that therein is, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands . . . For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. I told you last Sunday of the meaning of the days of the week; but one day I left out--namely, Tuesday. I did so on purpose. I wish to speak of that day by itself in this sermon. I told you how our forefathers worshipped
Charles Kingsley—The Good News of God

Note
THERE is a passage in an old writer which throws so much light on some points mentioned in this paper, that I make no excuse for giving it to the reader in its entirety. It comes from a work which is little known and less read. It has done me good, and I think it may do good to others. "When a man is awakened, and brought to that, that all must be brought to, or to worse,' What shall I do to be saved!' (Acts 16:30-31), we have the apostolic answer to it: ' Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou
John Charles Ryle—The Upper Room: Being a Few Truths for the Times

Saving Faith.
And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.--ACTS xvi. 30,31. This is one of the most abused texts in the Bible, and one which, perhaps, has been made to do quite as much work for the devil as for God. Let every saint present, ask in faith for the light of the Holy Ghost, while we try rightly to apply it. Let us enquire:-- 1. Who are to believe? 2. When are they to believe? 3. How are
Catherine Booth—Godliness

Directions to Sinners.
Text--What shall I do to be saved.--Acts xvi. 30. THESE are the words of the jailor at Philippi, the question which he put to Paul and Silas, who were then under his care as prisoners. Satan had, in many ways, opposed these servants of God in their work of preaching the Gospel, and had been as often defeated and disgraced. But here, at Philippi, he devised a new and peculiar project for frustrating their labors. There was a certain woman at Philippi, who was possessed with a spirit of divination,
Charles Grandison Finney—Lectures on Revivals of Religion

Measures to Promote Revivals.
Text.--These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city and teach customs which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.--Acts xvi. 20, 21. "THESE men," here spoken of, were Paul and Silas, who went to Philippi to preach the Gospel, and very much disturbed the people of that city, because they supposed the preaching would interfere with their worldly gains. And so they arranged the preachers of the Gospel before the magistrates of the city, as culprits, and charged
Charles Grandison Finney—Lectures on Revivals of Religion

The Missionary on the Sea Shore.
"And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: There stood a man of Macedonia and prayed him saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us."--Acts 16:9. "Wei schaumt so feierlich zu unsern Fuessen." [65]F. de la Motte Fouque. transl., Jane Borthwick, 1858 Dark mighty Ocean, rolling to our feet! In thy low murmur many voices meet, The sound of distant lands brought strangely near To Fancy's ear. From shores unknown comes the sweet Sabbath bell, New languages the old glad tidings tell, We hear the
Jane Borthwick—Hymns from the Land of Luther

Chrysostom Evades Election to a Bishopric, and Writes his Work on the Priesthood.
About this time several bishoprics were vacant in Syria, and frequent depositions took place with the changing fortunes of orthodoxy and Arianism, and the interference of the court. The attention of the clergy and the people turned to Chrysostom and his friend Basil as suitable candidates for the episcopal office, although they had not the canonical age of thirty. Chrysostom shrunk from the responsibilities and avoided an election by a pious fraud. He apparently assented to an agreement with Basil
St. Chrysostom—On the Priesthood

The Christian's Peace and the Christian's Consistency
PHILIPPIANS i. 21-30 He will be spared to them--Spiritual wealth of the paragraph--Adolphe Monod's exposition--Charles Simeon's testimony--The equilibrium and its secret--The intermediate bliss--He longs for their full consistency--The "gift" of suffering Ver. 21. +For to me, to live is Christ+; the consciousness and experiences of living, in the body, are so full of Christ, my supreme Interest, that CHRIST sums them all up; +and to die+, the act of dying,[1] +is gain+, for it will usher me in
Handley C. G. Moule—Philippian Studies

The Martyrs of Lyons and vienne (Ad 177)
Many other martyrs suffered in various parts of the empire under the reign of Marcus Aurelius. Among the most famous of these are the martyrs of Lyons and Vienne, in the south of France (or Gaul, as it was then called), where a company of missionaries from Asia Minor had settled with a bishop named Pothinus at their head. The persecution at Lyons and Vienne was begun by the mob of those towns, who insulted the Christians in the streets, broke into their houses, and committed other such outrages against
J. C. Roberston—Sketches of Church History, from AD 33 to the Reformation

Scotland and Ireland
The only thing which seems to be settled as to the religious history of Scotland in these times, is that a bishop named Ninian preached among the Southern Picts between the years 412 and 432, and established a see at Whithorn, in Galloway. But in the Year of St. Ninian's death, a far more famous missionary, St. Patrick, who is called "the Apostle of Ireland," began his labours in that island. It is a question whether Patrick was born in Scotland, at a place called Kirkpatrick, near the river Clyde,
J. C. Roberston—Sketches of Church History, from AD 33 to the Reformation

Whether Since Christ's Passion the Legal Ceremonies Can be Observed Without Committing Mortal Sin?
Objection 1: It would seem that since Christ's Passion the legal ceremonies can be observed without committing mortal sin. For we must not believe that the apostles committed mortal sin after receiving the Holy Ghost: since by His fulness they were "endued with power from on high" (Lk. 24:49). But the apostles observed the legal ceremonies after the coming of the Holy Ghost: for it is stated (Acts 16:3) that Paul circumcised Timothy: and (Acts 21:26) that Paul, at the advice of James, "took the men,
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Pædobaptism. Its Accordance with the Institution of Christ, and the Nature of the Sign.
1. Pædobaptism. The consideration of the question necessary and useful. Pædobaptism of divine origin. 2. This demonstrated from a consideration of the promises. These explain the nature and validity of Pædobaptism. 3. Promises annexed to the symbol of water cannot be better seen than in the institution of circumcision. 4. The promise and thing figured in circumcision and baptism one and the same. The only difference in the external ceremony. 5. Hence the baptism of the children
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion

Children Devoted to God. Gen. 17:7,10; Acts 16:14,15,33.
Children devoted to God. Gen. 17:7,10; Acts 16:14,15,33. [For those who practise infant Baptism.] Thus saith the mercy of the Lord, "I'll be a God to thee; I'll bless thy num'rous race, and they Shall be a seed for me." Abram believed the promised grace, And gave his sons to God; But water seals the blessing now, That once was sealed with blood. Thus Lydia sanctified her house, When she received the word; Thus the believing jailer gave His household to the Lord. Thus later saints, eternal King!
Isaac Watts—The Psalms and Hymns of Isaac Watts

Acts 17:16-17. Athens.
[9] "Now, while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry." Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him." --Acts 17:16-17. PERHAPS the reader of this paper lives in a town or city, and sees more of bricks and mortar than of green fields. Perhaps you have some relative or friend living in a town, about whom you naturally feel a deep interest.
John Charles Ryle—The Upper Room: Being a Few Truths for the Times

Conversion, Its Nature and Necessity.
Closely related to the doctrine of the power, or efficacy, of the divine Word--as considered in the last chapter--is the doctrine of conversion. It is the subject of conversion, therefore, that we now purpose to examine. It is an important subject. It deserves a prominent place in treating of the Way of Salvation. It is also an intensely personal subject. Each one who desires to be in the Way of Salvation is personally interested in it. The eternal destiny of every one who reads these pages is closely
G. H. Gerberding—The Way of Salvation in the Lutheran Church

The Law Established through Faith
Discourse I "Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: Yea, we establish the law." Romans 3:31. 1. St. Paul, having the beginning of this Epistle laid down his general proposition, namely, that "the gospel of Christ is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth;" -- the powerful means, whereby God makes every believer a partaker of present and eternal salvation; -- goes on to show, that there is no other way under heaven whereby men can be saved. He speaks particularly
John Wesley—Sermons on Several Occasions

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