Women of the Word: Lydia

Scripture References 

Acts 16:12-15; Acts 16:40; Philippians 1:1-10

Name Meaning

Bending

Family

Unknown 

Introduction 

Lydia’s story is not long, but it is relevant to the spread of the gospel in Philippi and Macedonia. Here we see a woman who was self-sufficient, full of hospitality and generosity, as well as influential in the early Church in that area. She was among the first converts and helped support the spread of Christianity.

Lesson

Lydia was a business woman who lived in the city of Thyatira, which was a colony of Macedonia where Apollo was worshipped. Her background is unknown, her name likely being Phoenician instead of Greek. Whether she had a husband or children we don’t know. Very little is said about this woman of the Word.

Lydia was a dye maker. She was known to sell purple cloth, which was unique to the area she lived and worked in. Her business was successful enough that she had a home large enough to invite Paul and Silas to stay with her. She also had servants to help with her household operations.

It is not known whether Lydia was of Jewish descent or not, but it is not likely. She was probably a Jewish convert. We know she was a believer because it said as much in Acts 16:14 – She was a worshiper of God. She found time in her busy work day to engage in prayer at the river with other women. It is by the river that Paul and Silas first met Lydia.

It is interesting to note that she worshipped God, but was not a Christian yet. We see in Acts 16:14 that her heart was opened to Paul’s message. She was baptized after receiving Christ as her savior, along with members of her household. She had been a believer of the Jewish faith, but it took Paul sharing the gospel with her to make her a Christian.

Not all of the people in the Bible were believers when their stories began, but we know that their lives were touched by godly people of faith and transformation occurred, the same way it happens in the lives of people in today’s day in age. Not everyone who attends church with you is necessarily a believer, but we often forget this and assume that anyone who is there in church is a Christian.

And with her newfound faith, Lydia invited Paul and Silas to her home. She offered hospitality to the two men at different times – one being after her conversion and baptism and then again after Paul and Silas were released from prison.

Lydia’s home was most likely a place of worship for the Christians. When Paul wrote to the Philippians, Lydia was probably one of the saints Paul addressed his epistle to. We can also assume that she helped support his ministry financially through her business ventures, though the book of Acts does not say this. We assume it to be true because most of the early converts sold everything and gave all they had to one another.

Though her story in the Bible was short, she was a very important person and influential in the early church. She was able to continue to run her business while simultaneously maintaining her involvement in the church in that area. She was a great role model both then and now.

Final Thoughts

At a time in history when women had very few rights, it is refreshing to see women who were successful as well as generous. Lydia did not need a man to provide for her. She had a successful business of her own and a home with servants. She did not let personal success interfere with her faith. She maintained her dye selling business while supporting the early church. She serves as an example to women today, demonstrating balance between work, home, and church.