Acts 16:13-14 – “On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshipper of God.”
When women are mentioned in the Bible, it can often feel like they had less important roles. Sometimes it can seem as though they weren’t as significant due to not having paragraphs describing their character and impact. However, from all of the mentions of these incredible women, we can gain so much knowledge of their character and how they served the Lord. Lydia’s name is only mentioned twice in the Bible but from these two mentions, we can figure out a lot of her character.
Lydia is described first as a dealer in purple cloth. At this time, this would have meant that Lydia was esteemed, wealthy and highly capable. The fact that she traded in purple cloth meant that Lydia’s clients were most likely the highest members of society. She was then described as a worshipper of God which meant it was likely that Lydia was a Jew.
Acts 1:14-15 – “The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. When she and the members of her household were baptised, she invited us to her home. ‘If you consider me a believer in the Lord,’ she said, ‘come and stay at my house.’ And she persuaded us.”
Although Lydia is only referred to twice, we are told of her coming to faith in Jesus, being baptised and then, as head of the household, offered hospitality to Paul and those with him. Her love for Jesus shines through, we can see it in the fact that she was baptised after hearing the good news of Jesus. Her love for God is evident, we can see that in the description that is given, she worshipped God. We can also see her hospitality and compassion, shown through the opening of her home to Paul and those with him. She also persuaded Paul to stay in her home showing that Lydia probably wouldn’t take no for an answer! Strong.
The last time Lydia is mentioned is in verse 40.
Acts 16:40 – “After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia’s house, where they met with the brothers and sisters and encouraged them. Then they left.”
After being released from prison the first place Paul and Silas went to was Lydia’s home! It was there that Paul gave their final encouragement to Christians that had gathered there. Lydia had clearly allowed her home to become a space of safety for believers in the area – in other words, a Church.
So although sometimes the mention of women in the Bible can seem brief or insignificant, Lydia shows otherwise. Lydia was a key part of the formation of the Church in Philippi. Lydia is an example of worshipping God, loving Jesus and showing compassion to others. That, I’m sure you’ll agree, is significant.