Lydia, Acts 16:11-15, written by Jon Conary

This is a fascinating set of five verses. It is part Travelogue (verses 11 and 12) describing how Paul and his companions made their way from Troas to Philippi, part stranger in a strange land, and then part intersection between Paul the apostle, Lydia the business woman, and the Holy Spirit.

I assume that many individuals that have lived and traveled outside their native country can identify with Paul in verse 13. After "days" of contending with a "foreign" culture and language, Paul and his companions sought a place of prayer. A place to recharge their spiritual batteries, perhaps a place to talk to each other in their native tongue, or to "let their guard down" and be themselves. When they come to the place they seek there are women there. There is no description of what the women are doing (washing clothes, bathing, seeking some "peace and quiet"), just that they are there. And one of them, a business woman named Lydia, listened to Paul and his companions. Again, what Paul and his companions were saying is left to our imagination. Were they praying for the people of Philippi? Were they conducting a worship service? Were they talking of activities back home? Were they sharing some of their previous experiences or some of the stories of Christ that they knew and that brought them comfort or inspiration? And god was there. Lydia not only listened but heard "what Paul said." She and her household were baptized. And an act of hospitality occurs. "If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come and stay at my home." And she prevailed upon us.

Acts 16:11-15

The Conversion of Lydia

11 We set sail from Troas and took a straight course to Samothrace, the following day to Neapolis, ¹²and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district^* of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city for some days. ¹³On the sabbath day we went outside the gate by the river, where we supposed there was a place of prayer; and we sat down and spoke to the women who had gathered there. ¹⁴A certain woman named Lydia, a worshipper of God, was listening to us; she was from the city of Thyatira and a dealer in purple cloth. The Lord opened her heart to listen eagerly to what was said by Paul. ¹⁵When she and her household were baptized, she urged us, saying, ‘If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come and stay at my home.’ And she prevailed upon us.