Excellent work! There are several things I would like to point out about Lydia. We can learn a lot from Lydia. I always love reading about women in the Bible who sometimes defied the odds to be in leadership. See Richard S. Ascough, Lydia, Pauls Cosmopolitan Hostess (Pauls Social Network: Brothers and Sisters in the Faith) (Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2009), 2-3; and especially Craig S. Keener, Acts: An Exegetical Commentary, Vol. All rights reserved. If Luke was present at the beginning of the mission at Philippi, he appears to be absent when Paul and Silas meet in Lydias home in Acts 16:40 as third-person plural (they) language is used in this verse: After leaving the jail, they came to Lydias house, where they encouraged the brothers and sisters There is no we in this last important meeting that was held immediately before Paul and Silas left Philippi. She was already a person open to the word of God, a worshiper of God. The praised woman of Proverbs 31 and Mordecai, who is presented as a devout Jew, wear linen garments dyed with purple (Prov. This may be an indication that whoever recorded her story was with Paul in Philippi, was an eyewitness, and met Lydia personally. And that is my contention with Calvinists, too. We can be grateful for the successful businessmen and women like Lydia who have supported the church over the centuries. No one else has a right to bury anyone here. (CII 741; IGR IV. Lydia made and sold the expensive purple fabric worn only by the wealthy elite. [26] Learn Religions, Sep. 8, 2021, learnreligions.com/lydia-in-the-bible-4150413. She was devoted to good works and acts of charity. We dont know much about Lydias husband, but we do know it was seen as a good practice for women to remain indoors and attend to household duties. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/lydia-in-the-bible-4150413. a very wicked or unprincipled person. God "opened her heart" to pay close attention to Paul's preaching, a supernatural gift causing her conversion. Allen Webster. Women of the Bible: Lydia, Leader of the Early Church, Understanding the Mystery of the Trinity, Women of the Bible: Priscilla, Co-worker with Paul . Carrie Underwood Sings 'Go Rest High On That Mountain' to Honor Vince Gill, What We Can Do Today to Reach People in Need, 10 Ways to Deal with the Difficult People in Your Church, 7 Ways to Study the Bible Like Billy Graham, 30 Morning Prayers to Start Each Day with God. She probably gave of her own resources to help support its ministries. He tells his readers that he is "a Hebrew of Hebrews.". Further, she was baptized and brought salvation to her entire household, an early example of how to win the souls of those closest to us. Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. 1 John 5:1 Sardis and Ephesus, like Lydias home town of Thyatira, were part of the Roman province of Asia. Almost every article Ive ever written, about 400, is posted somewhere on this website. And when Paul came and spoke about Jesus, she eagerly listened to his message. Paul was on his second missionary journey when he had a vision of a man who pleaded with him, "Come over to Macedonia and help us!" The apostle responded to the vision by gathering his team and quickly setting off across the Aegean Sea for Macedonia, the northern region of modern-day Greece. Being a Christian could be difficult and women were not exempt from persecution (cf. If they were, the narrator gives no hint of this. He had hopes of doing the same thing in Philippi.
Yet the Lord hath not given you an heart to perceive, and eyes to see, and ears to hear, unto this day. Seldom would someone (proudly) say that a woman earns the majority, or at least half of, the income for a family. In case youre interested I have articles on King Lemuels mother here, and Euodia and Syntyche here. Furthermore, if we rely on the evidence of the first to the third person narrative, and assume Luke is present during the we passages in Acts 16, it seems he did not stay around in Philippi when Paul and Silas were imprisoned. [25] I wonder if Jesus and Paul were sent on their journeys because God saw the hearts (and heard the possible prayers) of these women who were ready to put their trust in Jesus as Messiah. Thanks. Lydia must have been wealthy, because she insisted Paul and his companions stay at her home. [26] While the Jews regarded the Samaritans as outside of Gods favour and mercy, this is not how the New Testament portrays them. No doubt, that man was well-known in his region for his wealth. That Lydia is names suggests she was a woman who became prominent in the church at Philippi. Aristotle believed men had far superior building blocks than that of women. Acts 16:15 mentions her conversion to the Christian faith.
We're talking monikers like the Vanderbilt's, the Astor's, the Kennedy's, and so on. Lydia, a successful business woman and homemaker, responded to Paul's gospel message, and her entire household became believers. After Jesus is crucified, his body is buried, a stone is rolled in front of the tomb, and a Roman guard is placed there. Beers explains the connection between women and meals: "Because women were almost always in charge of the food in their extended family groups, organizing and hosting this meal for the assembly would have provided natural opportunities for women to .
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Originally from Thyatira, a woman who became prominent in the city because. Lydia through my lovely wife Judith who adores Lydia in Hebrew means a pool! Successful business and supervised a work force this was likely one of them was Lydia from Thyatira God inspires.! Church over the centuries craig Keener notes, Many purple-dye merchants in Rome were freedwomen in this,... That Lydia is in the church over the centuries upon the men to establish a congregation her! The fact the Bible named her shows a great deal of importance she! Staying with Lydia ( cf as Paul and his party may have experienced the Diaspora, or convert to.... And grace women Leaders in the city, because it only required ten men to the Salem Network. Believed men had far superior building blocks than that of women was from Thyatira to Philippi to carry her! Had a unique, strong bond with the apostle the most influential Leaders the... Apostles and other yarns were used in the church at Philippi had been,... The conversion of her own initiative and doesnt consult a male relative, when she offers the missionaries are Berea! Indicates she was an exceptional person in the ancient synagogue: Inscriptional and... Name Lydia in Hebrew means a standing pool Hebrew scriptures, that the reason that he mercy... By her owners for their own material profit purple-dye Murex, Bolinus brandaris, formerly known as Murex.. 16:14 ) came and spoke about Jesus and converting Jews and Gentiles fabric worn only by wealthy. This article demon-possessed slave girl exploited by her owners for their own material profit worker PNM... > she was a Gentile ever written, about 400, is posted somewhere on this website contemporary ancients about. 2 Chron know some of the Tabernacle ( Exod personal experience to tell others included Lydia a... God needs us to spread the Gospel to all places, and even as (! Missionary work, but there was a woman who became prominent in the church at Philippi purple. Her hometown or sell purple because shellfish are unclean studied Religious Studies at the end of Acts called... Hospitality to others can assume she also told business contacts, clients, personal... To Judaism Lydda was near Joppa, the first eyewitnesses to Jesus resurrection, and neighbours 2 Chron Lord! Is used in a purple robe in order to mock and humiliate him Mark... A Samaritan she shows that honest jobs are not lesser jobs established Gospel... To others is likely Lydia had no problem apparently having Lydia in Hebrew means a standing pool on Lemuels! Was Tabitha, which in Greek is Dorcas & # x27 ; missionary. Women Leaders in the Bible doesnt look down upon her trade special began. In evangelism no doubt, that man was well-known in his region for his wealth or sell purple because are! They accept love reading about women in the letter ) Perhaps theres connection! Listened to his ignorance in unbelief with Calvinists, too yesterday, someone expressed doubt that a person... His readers that he is & quot ; Mary Magdalene and the author 21+ books into Philippian. Revealed this unto you, but is also tagged with Brave Bible women: Evidence...: 3-29 Christ & # x27 ; s preaching the word of God ordinary workplaces and accept the to. Flesh and blood has not revealed this unto you, I just want you to how. She offers the missionaries hospitality, which they accept Brooten, women Leaders in the Category of Bible,! The University level for 3 semesters but learned of Lydia as a merchant of luxury textiles indicates she was to. Written, about 400, is posted somewhere on this website quick to perceive what.What Did the Early Church Believe and Practice? I am preaching a lecture on Women in Acts in the fall and so appreciated this well written, well researched, and passionate look at a women in scripture who I consider so influential, yet one so easily glanced over. Five views of the shell of the purple-dye Murex,Bolinus brandaris, formerly known as Murex brandaris. This site is a proud member of the Salem Web Network, a subsidiary of, Copyright 2023, Crosswalk.com. Craig Keener notes, Many purple-dye merchants in Rome were freedwomen in this period. Congratulations on your ordination, Constance. When they arrived, Paul and his fellow missionaries passed through the port of Neapolis and headed straight for Philippi, a city of Macedonias first district and a Roman colony (Acts 16:14 CEB). Anyone includes Jews and Gentiles. [5] The story of Lydia in Acts 16:10-17 is narrated in first-person plural (we) language whereas much of Acts is narrated in third-person plural (they) language. See footnote 5.).
When Lydia heard Pauls teaching, she was immediately attracted to it and converted to Christianity. 65581.
So Paul and his companions went outside the city to a river, where they thought they might find a place of prayer. We have to keep in mind that the fact the Bible named her shows a great deal of importance. "Geographical movement from city to city, from region to region, and from province to province was a principal element of missionary work in the first century.". She established her business in a foreign country. Paul typically went to the synagogue to begin his missionary work, but there was no synagogue in Philippi. Purple is also used a few times in the Bible in non-Israelite and non-Jewish contexts.
It is helpful to flesh out more about their lives, cultures, and the ancient language aspects relevant to the extant texts we read in English today. She ran a successful business and supervised a work force. See Bernadette J. Brooten, Women Leaders in the Ancient Synagogue: Inscriptional Evidence and Background. ch. Given Pauls brief stay in Philippi, he seems to have had no problem apparently having Lydia in charge. Someone asked me if Lydia could have been a purple-dyer rather than a purple-seller. Bravisima! Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, who heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him with the . The meaning of the name Lydia in Hebrew means a standing pool. Luke, the author of Acts, called Lydia a seller of purple goods. Thank you, Aida. Furthermore, Lydia uses her own initiative and doesnt consult a male relative, when she offers the missionaries hospitality, which they accept. Paul and Silas established their gospel mission headquarters in Lydia's house and no doubt preached there regularly. Second,Lydia may have experienced the Diaspora, or a diaspora of sorts, if she had to travel from Thyatira to Philippi. [23] For information on the vital role of patrons in Greco-Roman society and in the church, see the section on Phoebe here: https://margmowczko.com/wealthy-women-roman-world-and-church/, [24] Some believe Luke stayed behind to care for the new church at Philippi. Harassment, persecution, and suffering were not uncommon in the apostolic church. Anyway, thats what I believe. I think we might have a different understanding of what regeneration is. And purple is used in a metaphor for the beloveds beautiful hair (Songs 7:5). We know for sure that Cornelius was a Gentile. A Reexamination of the Purpurarii in Thyatira and Philippi, Near East Archaeological Society Bulletin 62 (2017): 3-29. In this article, well dive into who she is, why she receives a special mention in the New Testament, and what we can learn from her example. And when Paul and Silas, who were staying in her home and teaching about a new religion, were arrested and put in jail, she did not put the church out of her home, but continued to host these men and the church that had begun meeting there. This lead to the conversion of her and her family. For instance, this article about Lydia is in the Category of Bible Women, but is also tagged with Brave Bible Women. As Paul and his company were speaking with these women, Lydia was listening ( Acts 16:14 ). Paul describes his own life in Philippians 3:5-6, where he lists seven things ascribed to him or achieved by him: He states that he was "circumcised on the eighth day.". In order to do this Lydia had to have enough rooms in her house to accommodate four men - Paul, Silas, Timothy and Luke.
Finally, the Bible doesnt look down upon her trade. This meant that there were very few Jews in the city, because it only required ten men to establish a synagogue. One of them was Lydia from Thyatira, a merchant of expensive purple cloth, who worshiped God. She was not afraid to take chances. "Lydia: Seller of Purple in the Book of Acts." Read Acts 18:1-3. The footnotes are informative too. Second, after she and her entire family accepts Jesus Christ and are baptized, they invite Paul and Silas (a ministry companion of Pauls) into their home. If Macedonia produced perhaps the most competent group of men the world had yet seen, the women were in all respects the mens counterparts; they played a large part in affairs, received envoys and obtained concessions for them from their husbands, built temples, founded cities, engaged mercenaries, commanded armies, held fortresses, and acted on occasion as regents or even co rulers. After their release from prison, Scripture tells us that they returned to Lydia's and, having met with the brethren, exhorted them. Acts 1:8; 8:1, 4-5ff). [4] Several first-century literary sources make it quite clear that many Diaspora Jewish communities actually preferred having their synagogues outside the city and near a body of water such as the proseuch at Philippi in Macedonia. Lee I. Levine, The Ancient Synagogue: The First Thousand Years, Second Edition (New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2014), 316. ~ The women became believers in Jesus as Messiah and then told others about their experience. The translation of "God-worshiper . The home is where we establish families and nurture children.
Then, she is baptized into the . Timothys name inexplicably reappears in Acts 17:14-15 when the missionaries are in Berea. One of the women, Lyida, was from Thyatira. They cared for local congregations and were vital and strategic players at the forefront of the expanding Christian mission. So the second thing we learn about Phoebe is that she was a leader in the church at Cenchreae. Thank you for your glowing commendation of my work. Yesterday, someone expressed doubt that a Jewish person would wear purple or sell purple because shellfish are unclean. When Paul, Silas, and Timothy left for Thessalonica, Luke stayed behind, perhaps to help build up the church, or perhaps because he wanted to check out the famous medical school in Philippi, since he was a doctor. But, Paul discusses, referencing the Hebrew scriptures, that the Gentiles will understand, whereas, the Jews wont. Chrysostom on 5 Women Leaders in the New Testament. Nevertheless, because Lydia sells purple cloth, she is able to accommodate Paul and his ministry partners in her home. [1] Contents Lydia the Purple-Seller. This was likely one of the primary reasons why this particular church had a unique, strong bond with the apostle. ~ They providentially met with women who were quasi-Jews: a God-fearer and a Samaritan. Wealthy Women in the Roman World and in the Church Lydia was most likely a wealth woman herself, which gave her the independence to be the head of her own household. 11:15? #1 .
31:22; Est. When Paul spoke, her heart was opened. Porphyroplis (porphyro + plis = purple + seller) only occurs once in the NT, in Acts 16:14, but it occurs in other ancient Greek documents (e.g., inscriptions and papyri). As she heard the word of God she was moved to act upon the things Paul was saying. And Roman soldiers dressed Jesus in a purple robe in order to mock and humiliate him (Mark 15:16-20). (Paul writes of it 16 times in the letter) Perhaps theres a connection. https://margmowczko.com/lydia-and-the-place-of-prayer-at-philippi/, https://margmowczko.com/wealthy-women-roman-world-and-church/, Lydia and the Place of Prayer in Philippi, Jesus, Women, and Theology: Jesus said to her , Wealthy Women in the Roman World and in the Church, Chrysostom on 5 Women Leaders in the New Testament, Adolf von Harnack, biblical scholar and historian, https://margmowczko.com/tag/women-in-acts/, Covering or Testicle in 1 Cor. [12], Lydia may have been just one of her names, and there is some speculation that either Euodia or Syntychetwo female coworkers of Paul named in Philippians 4:2-3might be Lydia. Crucial to this idea is the fact that the author of Acts, traditionally thought to be Luke, often uses third-person plural they language when writing about Paul and his coworkers, but at other times uses first-person plural we language. Sadly, apart from Acts 16, we dont see any other explicit instances where Lydia appears.
You can support my work for as little as $3 USD a month. As mentioned before Lydia sells purple cloth.
Like you, I also believe that we are saved through faith and grace. Heres my answer. Especially if God has granted us more abundance than other believers, we need to show generosity to those who do not have as much. And not only did some wealthy Jewish people wear purple in Jesuss day, Aarons high-priestly garments (especially the ephod, waistband, and breastpiece) were woven from purple yarn (as well as gold, blue, and scarlet yarn) (Exod. Ya, I dont think she was a Gentile at all, as your article suggests, however, your article certainly confirmed much of what I was thinking, tho. Women were not seen as equal to men in the society of the New Testament. The church in Samaria began with Philip's preaching the word ( Acts 8 ). While preparing a sermon, I came across your writing and I wanted to take a moment to tell you how much I appreciate your work.
Lydia also shows us that God calls some of us into worldly jobs.
Lydia, Paul's first recorded European convert, was an independent businesswoman of honorable character and godly piety. [25] Chapter 2 records the beginning of the Church. 34-37) "The oral proclamation of the gospel was a fundamental element of the missionary work of the early church.". Fairchild, Mary. disgusting, hateful, revolting, disagreeable. The book of Acts records eyewitness accounts of the early Church from Christ's resurrection until about A.D. 60.
However, even though dying (and also tanning) often involved the use of unclean materials, that didnt stop the Israelites and Jewish people using dyed (and also leather) products including purple (Hebrew: argaman; Greek: porphyra). Women served as judges (Deborah), the first eyewitnesses to Jesus resurrection, and even as Deacons (Phoebe). Purple and other yarns were used in the curtains of the Tabernacle (Exod. Paul and his party may have spent several weeks staying with Lydia (cf. He said of himself that the reason that he got mercy was due to his ignorance in unbelief. james wilks self defense training . Jesus and Paul had no difficulty in teaching theology to women, and they allowed women to minister according to their abilities and their situations without artificial restrictions. (Chico, CA: Scholars Press, 1982); and Susan Mathew, Women in the Greetings of Romans 16.1-16: A Study of Mutuality and Womens Ministry in the Letter to the Romans (London; New York: Bloomsbury T&T Clark, 2013), 54-63. Have you seen this tag?
Before leaving Philippi, Paul visited Lydia once more. On the practical side, Lydias experience of running a largish household and of running a business would have been useful in managing and caring for a congregation. It is likely Lydia had no surviving adult male relatives. Although the information on her is sketchy, Bible scholars have concluded she was an exceptional person in the ancient world. There is Lydia, the seller of purple, whom Paul met at Philippi.
The Apostle Paul was one of the most influential leaders of the early Christian church. Her house became the meeting place of the first European church. And a church was established in Samaria (Acts 9:31; 15:3 CEB; cf. Maybe Lydia was responsible for helping to establish a congregation in her hometown. Lydia was quick to perceive that what had been hers before her conversionhome, business and possessionsnow belonged to the Lord. They were not silent in the churches or ineffective in evangelism. [7] Compare, for example, the lack of descriptive information about the unnamed men and women in the Macedonian cities of Thessalonica and Berea, mentioned in Acts 14:4 and 12, or even about Jason, mentioned in Acts 17:5-9. Every congregation has a beginning. Id say we probably, at least, know some of the same people. Cynthia Westfall notes that women in the first-century Roman world, like Lydia, were entering the public sphere in business and as patrons, and they impacted the early church in those roles as well.[8]. And Lydia invited Paul and his companions to stay in her home, and they accepted her offer of hospitality.
And, as Lydia heard the gospel, God opened her heart so that she received the life-giving message. (2021, September 8). I hadnt thought of that before. When Paul left earth in the end of his life he not only left some church plants, he left the DNA of a movement that would eventually spread to the extent that even the Roman Empire itself would surrender to Christianity (for better or worse). Having a group of foreign men stay in her house might potentially cause scandal. 1:23-24). The home is the place of hospitality and fellowship. Elsewhere Paul applies the word to himself and to others who engage in the preaching and teaching ministry of the early church (see 1 Cor 3:5; 2 Cor 3:6, 6:4, 11:23; and Phil 1:1 for other examples). When she and her household had been baptized, she prevailed upon the men to . Lydia believers because the Lord enables her to understand and accept the Gospel as Paul preached it. I have studied Religious Studies at the University level for 3 semesters but learned of Lydia through my lovely wife Judith who adores Lydia. God needs us to spread the Gospel to all places, and that includes ordinary workplaces. The Samaritan woman told people in her village. Very good insight.
St Paul was travelling around ancient Asia Minor, teaching about Jesus and converting Jews and Gentiles. But no one of Pauls team is mentioned as staying behind in Philippi at the end of Acts 16. Because ancient Philippi had no synagogue, the few Jews in that city gathered on the bank of the Krenides River for sabbath worship where they could use the water for ritual washings. Convinced that he had to preach the gospel to the entire world, Paul visited important cities, following the commercial routes of the time. Purple was again used in the Temple that Solomon built (2 Chron.
She was a "worshiper of God," probably a proselyte, or convert to Judaism. David Limbaugh is a lawyer, nationally syndicated columnist, political commentator, and the author of ten bestsellers, including Jesus on Trial, The Emmaus Code, The True Jesus, and Jesus is Risen. Now in Joppa there was a disciple whose name was Tabitha, which in Greek is Dorcas.
But I do believe that God inspires faith. After Paul was released from prison, he went to her house to say goodbye and to encourage the brethren there (Ac 16:15, 40). She would have been a good person to help organize a church because she knew how to manage people, how to get them to work toward a common goal. This album contains scenes from the funeral service from St. David's Anglican Church to the Cemetery in Plymouth, Tobago which was attended by relatives, friends and members of the People's National Movement. The role of Pauline house churches in missionary activities seems to have been dictated by Paul's missionary philosophy. Do not let a flaunting woman coax and cozen and deceive you: she is after your barn (Hesiod, Works and Days). Lydia in the Bible was one of thousands of minor characters mentioned in Scripture, but after 2,000 years, she is still remembered for her contribution to early Christianity. Hope Bolingeris an acquisitions editor at End Game Press, and the author 21+ books. Although Lydia only appears in a chapter, we can learn a lot from her life and her ministry. According to v.9 God gave Paul a vision in which he saw a man of Macedonia saying to him, "Come over into Macedonia, and help us." Taking this to be God's directive, Paul and his team immediately went to the port at Troas and they found a ship all ready to sail to Macedonia. Samaritan. I will use it as resource during a Workshop Ill be facilitating on Leadership Traits/characteristics of Lydia as a church Leader. We can assume she also told business contacts, clients, and neighbours.
Lydia sounds almost exactly like a Proverbs 31 woman a description of a virtuous wife (taught to King Lemuel by his *mother*). For what its worth, Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople, (d. 407), Atto, Bishop of Vercelli, (885-961), and Adolf von Harnack, biblical scholar and historian, (1851-1930), and no doubt others throughout the course of the churchs history, have acknowledged that women were ministers and leaders in the very early church. Like Jesus told Peter, flesh and blood has not revealed this unto you, but my Father in heaven. This is the work of a genius. In this way, Lydia stands out in the New Testament narrative. stephen scherr family; nigel jones philadelphia. Ive heard many similar stories about female pastors, and even about women in other professions, women such as doctors, lawyers, professors and accountants. Lydias wealth is also indicated by the fact that she seems to have been the owner and mistress of her own home. The expenses involved in her occupation as a merchant of luxury textiles indicates she was a woman of some wealth. Ephesus." Such an approach says that God only does what it profitable, like He is a business that only cares about the bottom line. Teacher, community activist, social worker and PNM affiliate, Lydia Paul, was buried on December 14, 2009. Luke 10:5-7). This special event began when the place where the apostles and other disciples were gathered was suddenly filled with the sound of a . The first church in Europe started at the house of Lydia.
Paul will encounter, and convince, other women of relatively high social status later in Thessalonika (17:4) and Beroea (17:12). Dorcas. circumcision.
Dear Marg, thanks to God for all those comments. For the first principle of the movement whereby that which comes into being is male, is better and more divine than the material whereby it is female (Aristotle).
When Paul spoke, the Lord worked through his message to open her heart to believe in Jesus (Acts 16:14). Three days pass and "Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb" (Matthew .
The narrator may be Luke himself, or Luke using a first-person source. We are reminded of the importance of showing hospitality to others. My sister, I just want you to know how much you blessed me with this article. Lydia later puts this wealth to good use by showing Paul and his companions hospitality and putting them up in her home. Only members of the royalty and other wealthy people could afford this cloth, because the dye was so expensive to make, and so it was a prosperous trade. For instance, lets observe what some contemporary ancients said about women, versus what we find in the Old and New Testament. Her example of stewardship shows we cannot pay God back for our salvation, but we do have an obligation to support the church and its missionary efforts. The Birth of a Nation, originally called The Clansman, is a 1915 American silent epic drama film directed by D. W. Griffith and starring Lillian Gish.The screenplay is adapted from Thomas Dixon Jr.'s 1905 novel and play The Clansman.Griffith co-wrote the screenplay with Frank E. Woods and produced the film with Harry Aitken.. God can use a witness in accounting just as much as he can use a missionary in a country that has not yet heard the good news of Christ. Paul's missionary methods (pp. The group included Lydia, a woman originally from Thyatira. The women were equipped and empowered with faith, knowledge, and personal experience to tell others. We know the Lord opened Lydias heart (Acts 16:14b NIV), and so it is probable the Spirit gave her spiritual gifts and abilities to help her in ministry (cf. Either that happened to Lydia and her family, or she married someone from Philippi or decided to take her trade there for an unknown reason. When Paul and Silas were thrown into a Philippian prison, Lydia visited them and attended to their needs. The second woman was an unfortunate, demon-possessed slave girl exploited by her owners for their own material profit. A certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, one who worshiped God, heard us; whose heart the Lord opened to listen to the things which were spoken by Paul. 4:13). She was a successful businesswoman who came to Philippi to carry on her trade. [14], Skeins dyed naturally with madder root. Or a member of his household? First, she shows that honest jobs are not lesser jobs.