Topical Encyclopedia The Philippian church, established by the Apostle Paul during his second missionary journey, is notable for its strong community of believers, including several prominent women. The city of Philippi, a Roman colony in Macedonia, was a significant location for the spread of early Christianity. The account of the founding of the Philippian church is recorded in Acts 16, where women play a crucial role in the establishment and growth of the Christian community.Lydia of Thyatira One of the most prominent women in the Philippian church is Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira. She is described as a "worshiper of God" (Acts 16:14), indicating her status as a Gentile who revered the God of Israel. Lydia's conversion marks a pivotal moment in the spread of the Gospel to Europe. As Paul and his companions preached by the river outside Philippi, "The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message" (Acts 16:14). Following her conversion, Lydia and her household were baptized, and she extended hospitality to Paul and his companions, urging them to stay at her home (Acts 16:15). Her home likely became a meeting place for the early church in Philippi, highlighting her role as a leader and supporter of the Christian mission. The Philippian Jailer’s Household While not explicitly named, the household of the Philippian jailer also included women who became part of the early church. After a miraculous earthquake freed Paul and Silas from prison, the jailer, fearing for his life, asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" (Acts 16:30). Paul and Silas responded, "Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, you and your household" (Acts 16:31). The jailer and his entire household were baptized, indicating the inclusion of women in this new community of believers (Acts 16:33). Euodia and Syntyche In his letter to the Philippians, Paul addresses two women, Euodia and Syntyche, who were evidently leaders within the church. He writes, "I urge Euodia and Syntyche to agree in the Lord" (Philippians 4:2). These women had "contended at my side in the cause of the gospel" (Philippians 4:3), suggesting their active involvement in ministry and leadership. Paul's appeal for unity between them underscores their importance in the church and the need for harmony among its leaders. Role and Influence The women of the Philippian church exemplify the significant roles women played in the early Christian communities. They were instrumental in the spread of the Gospel, provided leadership, and supported the mission through hospitality and service. The inclusion of women like Lydia, Euodia, and Syntyche in the biblical narrative highlights the early church's recognition of their contributions and the breaking down of social barriers in Christ. As Paul writes, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:28), emphasizing the unity and equality of all believers in the body of Christ. Nave's Topical Index Philippians 4:3And I entreat you also, true yoke fellow, help those women which labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellow laborers, whose names are in the book of life. Nave's Topical Index Library Purity and Peace in the Present Lord The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Philippians Pastoral and Personal The Epistle to the Philippians The Intimacy of Human Hearts in Christ The First Native Converts and Christian Schools The Preacher's Cry --Pray for Us! Introductory Joy, a Duty Seven "I Wills" of Christ. Resources What does the Bible have to say about women missionaries? | GotQuestions.orgWhat can we learn from what the Bible says about Jesus and women? | GotQuestions.org Since women preachers can be just as good as men, doesn't that mean they are called to preach? | GotQuestions.org Women: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Women are Courteous to Strangers Women are Tender to Her offspring Women of the Body (Ekklesia) of Christ Women: A Persian Queen Sat on a Throne Beside Her King Women: Active in Instigating to Iniquity Women: As Prophets: Philip's Four Unmarried Daughters Women: Athaliah, in Destroying the Royal Household and Usurping the Throne Women: Bath-Sheba, in Her Adultery, in Becoming the Wife of Her Husband's Murderer Women: Consecrated Jewels to Tabernacle Women: Converted by Preaching of Paul Women: Could not Marry Without the Consent of Parents Women: Deborah, a Judge, Prophetess, and Military Leader Women: Delilah, in Her Conspiracy Against Samson Women: Difference in Ceremonies Made Between Male and Female Children Women: Dinah, in Her Fornication Women: Eve, in Yielding to Temptation and Seducing Her Husband Women: Fall of, and Curse Upon Women: First to Whom the Risen Lord Appeared Women: Fond of Self-Indulgence Women: Forbidden to Wear Men's Costume Women: Gomer, the Adulterous Wife of Hosea Women: had Separate Apartments in Dwellings Women: Haman's Wife, in Advising Him to Hang Mordecai Women: Hannah, the Mother of Samuel Women: Help in Defensive Operations Women: Herodias, in Her Incestuous Marriage With Herod Antipas Women: Herodius, by Indirectly Causing John the Baptist to be Decapitated Women: Jezebel, in Her Conspiracy Against Naboth, to Cheat Him out of his Vineyard Women: Jezebel, in Her Evil Counsels To, and Influence Over, Ahab Women: Jezebel, in Her Persecution and Destruction of the Prophets of the Lord Women: Jezebel, in Her Persecution of Elijah Women: Job's Wife, in Suggesting to Him That he Curse God and Die Women: Leah, in Her Imitation of Rachel in the Matter of Children Women: Lot's Wife, in Her Rebellion Against Her Situation, and Against the Destruction of Sodom Women: Michal, in Her Derision of David's Religious Zeal Women: Miriam, in Her Sedition With Aaron Against Moses Women: Not to be Given in Marriage Was Considered a Calamity Women: Patriotic: The Women of Israel Women: Patriotic: The Women of the Philistines Women: Peninnah, the Wife of Elkanah, in Her Jealous Taunting of Hannah Women: Potiphar's Wife, in Her Lascivious Lust and Slander Against Joseph Women: Property Rights of in Inheritance Women: Property Rights of To Sell Real Estate Women: Punishment for Seducing, when not Betrothed Women: Punishment to be Inflicted Upon Men for Seducing, when Betrothed Women: Purifications of After Childbirth Women: Purifications of After Menstruation Women: Rachel, in Her Jealousy of Leah Women: Rachel, in Stealing Images Women: Religious Privileges of, Among Early Christians Women: Required to Attend to the Reading of the Law of Moses Women: Rules for Dress of Christian Women: Sapphira, in Her Blasphemous Falsehood Women: Sarah, in Her Jealousy and Malice Toward Hagar Women: Silly, and Easily Led Into Error Women: Social Status of in Persia Women: Social Status of in Roman Customs Women: Sold for Husband's Debts Women: Solomon's Wives, in Their Idolatrous and Wicked Influence Over Solomon Women: Symbolical of Wickedness Women: Tended Flocks and Herds Women: The Cannibalistic Mothers of Samaria Women: The Daughters of Lot, in Their Incestuous Lust Women: The Midianite Woman in the Camp of Israel, Taken in Adultery Women: The Philippian Christians Women: The Shunammite Woman, Who Gave Hospitality to Elisha Women: The Sodomites of the Southern Kingdom (Judah) Women: The Widow Who Put Her Two Mite (Small Coins, Greek: Leptas) Into the Treasury Women: The Woman Caught in the Act of Adultery and Brought to Jesus in the Temple Women: Took Part in Ancient Worship Women: Treated With Cruelty in War Women: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Women: Virtuous, Held in High Estimation Women: Wicked: Commits Forgery Women: Wicked: Full of Deceit and Licentiousness Women: Wicked: Silly and Wayward Women: Wicked: Zeal of, in Licentious Practices of Idolatry Women: Widow of Zarephath, Who Fed Elijah During the Famine Women: Worshiped in Separate Compartments Women: Zealous in Promoting Superstition and Idolatry Women: Zipporah, in Her Persecution of Moses on Account of his Religious Obligations Related Terms Women-servants (21 Occurrences) |
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