Acts 16:14

Translations

Modern

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.

Traditional

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.

Literal

And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple of the city of Thyatira, worshiping God, was listening. The Lord opened her heart to attend to the things being spoken by Paul.

Latin

Et quædam mulier nomine Lydia, purpuraria civitatis Thyatirenorum, colens Deum, audivit: cujus Dominus aperuit cor intendere his quæ dicebantur a Paulo.

Original

Greek

English

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.

Notes

Acts 16:14–15

The first person whose life Christ changed in Philippi was Lydia. She was a successful business owner from Thyatira (modern Akhisar). This city in western Asia Minor was well-known for exporting fine fabrics, woven cloth, and linen items. Lydia accepted the gospel message, and Paul baptized her and her household (compare 16:32–33).
One of Lydia’s first actions as a true believer in the Lord was to extend hospitality to the visiting missionaries. Hospitality is an important Christian virtue (see Matthew 25:31–46; Romans 12:13; 16:23; 1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8; Hebrews 13:2; 1 Peter 4:9; 3 John 1:5–8; compare Genesis 18:1–8; 19:1–3; 24:23–33).

Acts 16:13–36

Luke shares stories of three people in Philippi affected by the gospel:

a wealthy woman (16:14–15),
a demon-possessed slave girl exploited for money (16:16–21), and
a middle-ranking officer (16:23–36).

Theme notes and profiles

Paul (Saul) Philippi

Events

Second Missionary Journeyc. AD 46
Lydia's Conversionc. AD 47

Related verses

Luke 24:45
Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.
Ephesians 1:17–18
…that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in your knowledge of Him.
Isaiah 50:5
The Lord GOD has opened My ears, and I have not been rebellious, nor have I turned back.
John 6:44–45
“No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day.
Revelation 3:20
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with Me.
2 Corinthians 3:14–16
But their minds were closed. For to this day the same veil remains at the reading of the old covenant. It has not been lifted, because only in Christ can it be removed.
2 Corinthians 4:4–6
The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
Romans 9:16
So then, it does not depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.
Philippians 2:13
For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose.
1 Corinthians 3:6–7
I planted the seed and Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.
Acts 11:21
The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.
Revelation 3:7
To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of the One who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What He opens no one can shut, and what He shuts no one can open.

Parallels

Revelation 2:18–29

People

Lydia: Seller of purple goods; converted by Paul in Philippi Paul: Apostle to the Gentiles, author of many NT epistles

Places

Thyatira: City in Asia Minor, home of the prophet Lydia

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Book of the Acts of the Apostles Chronology of the Bible (New Testament) Cloth and Cloth Manufacturing Dye, Dyeing, Dyer Luke (Person) Luke, Gospel of Lydia (Person) Macedonia Paul the Apostle Philippi Purple Snail Thyatira Travel

Topics

Baptism: Christian Christian Minister: Persecution: Paul Converts: Lydia Conviction: from God Faith: Faith in Christ: Lydia Heart: Renewed: Graciously Affected of God Lydia: A Woman of Thyatira, Who with Her Household Was Converted Through the Preaching of Paul Paul: Visits Samothracia and Neapolis Philippi: Paul Preaches In Regeneration: General Scriptures Concerning The Color Purple The Heart: God: Opens Thyatira: The Hometown of Lydia, a Convert of Paul Women: Converted by Preaching of Paul Women: Lydia

Acts 16:14

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