‘From there we traveled to Philippi, a Roman colony and the leading city of that district of Macedonia. And we stayed there several days. 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 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. When she and the members of her household were baptized, 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’ (Acts 16:12-15).
Lydia lived in Thyatira, which was one of the Macedonian colonies. She was a businesswoman who sold purple goods. Lydia was an example of the comparatively independent position as some women attained in Asia Minor. She became prosperous in business and she owned a spacious home and had servants to care for her. As a Devout Woman Lydia was of Jewish descent and she worshipped God.
Lydia in spite of all her secular obligations found time to worship according to the Jewish faith. Daily she made her way to the riverside where prayer was made and she waited upon the ministry of Paul and his companions. As a Seeking Woman Lydia was religious and had a hunger for a deep spiritual experience. Ignorance was responsible for Lydia’s closed mind.
When Paul spoke of in conversational style in that small seated Jewish gathering, light dawned and her heart opened to receive Christ as her Savior. Her faith was born through hearing the Word of God. As a Hospitable Woman Lydia had the eagerness to give Missionaries the hospitality of her home.
First came Lydia’s faith, then the winning of her servants to Christ, then her love in gracious hospitality and finally her reception of Paul and Silas into her home after their discharge from prison. She was not ashamed of the Lord’s prisoners. They praised her generous hospitality. Paul thanked God for all she had meant to him and his companions.
As a Consecrated Woman Lydia always had “an open house” for the Saints of God and her home became a center of Christian fellowship in Philippi. When Paul wrote letter to the Philippians, he mentioned about the women who labored with him in the Gospel. Lydia may have been either Euodia or Synteche.
As a Maid Servant of Lord Lydia not only sold her dyes but she also served the Lord. She stayed in business that she might have money to help God’s servants in their ministry. How her generous care of Paul and Silas and of many others must have cheered their hearts. Lydia sets an example … what can we learn from her life? Her success in business did not result in complacency on spiritual matters. Her home was ‘an open home’ and she welcomed people for fellowship. She had an attitude of service and was willing to help.
Author: Rev. Ms. Prime Saraoini is a Master in Theology with specialization in Old Testament. She is currently the General Secretary of Women’s Fellowship of Church of South India
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