Lydia, Who Opened Her Heart and Home

GOLDEN TEXT: “Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.” —Proverbs 31:30

ACTS 16:6-15, 40

ALL that is said about Lydia in the Bible is recorded in these texts of Scripture. She became a believer through hearing Paul’s preaching, and offered her home in Philippi for the use of the brethren. Paul’s experiences with the brethren in this first city he visited in Macedonia—experiences which were so directly associated with Lydia and her home—made a lasting favorable impression upon him; for years later he wrote to them, saying, “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, for your fellowship in the Gospel from the first day until now.”—Phil. 1:3-5

Paul and Silas went to Philippi in response to the call, “Come over into Macedonia and help us.” Thus he was directed to leave Asia and to introduce the Gospel into Europe; and the Lord honored Lydia by permitting her home to be the first one used for meetings in this great missionary effort. Some have spoken of Lydia’s home as the beachhead of Christianity in Europe, but it is quite possible that a church had been established previous to this in Rome.

Very little is said in the Bible about Lydia, but what we can learn by reading between the lines, is favorable. She was a proselyte to the Jewish faith. Paul first met her in a place of prayer where devout women were in the habit of gathering on the sabbath day. This indicates that she thought much about the Lord and wanted to be in harmony with him.

The Lord blessed Paul’s ministry in this place of prayer, for of Lydia it is recorded, “Whose heart the Lord opened,” also, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.” The Lord recognized her sincerity and devotion and drew her to himself through the words of Paul. Thus the divine stamp of approval was placed upon this “seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira.” A statement made by Jesus is clearly illustrated by this incident—“No man can come unto me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him.”—John 6:44

Lydia’s wholehearted acceptance of the message, and her devotion to God and to this new and beautiful truth which she had embraced, is demonstrated by her offer to the Lord’s servants to use her home as their headquarters. The offer was more than the result of a fleeting emotion. This is demonstrated by the fact that although Paul and Silas were thrown into prison, and the people of the city were stirred up against them, Lydia’s home was still open for their use when they were released.

Thus is indicated that even under the pressure of ignominy and possible danger, her zeal and devotion were maintained. She was in business in Philippi, and to be an associate of those unpopular enough to be thrown into prison, and later advised to leave the city in order not to create further disturbance, could do her business no good. But this did not change her mind. God had opened her heart to the Gospel message, and to him she would be true, regardless of what the cost might be.

In keeping with our Golden Text, then, we find that Lydia is worthy of praise. That she was a seller of purple might indicate that in her business life she was dealing in commodities which appealed to vanity and pride. Perhaps, also, her mode of dress and manner of life were in keeping with her business, and not improperly so. But her reverence for the Lord, and her ready acceptance of the truth and devotion to it, regardless of the cost, are the things which commend her to us. And this example of her life should encourage us to greater faithfulness along the same lines.

QUESTIONS

How much do we actually know about Lydia? How do we know that Paul especially appreciated the fellowship of the Philippian brethren of whom she was one?

In the brief account we have of Lydia’s activities in the truth, what points appear which indicate her sincerity and devotion?

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