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Acts 16:14
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Lydia’s Conversion in Philippi
13On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate along the river, where it was customary to find a place of prayer. After sitting down, we spoke to the women who had gathered there.14Among 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.15And when she and her household had been baptized, she urged us, “If you consider me a believer in the Lord, come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.
Sermons
Mariano Di Gangi
Erlo Stegen
A.W. Tozer
Andrew Bonar
David ServantSummary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Lydia, a seller of purple - She probably had her name from the province of Lydia, in which the city of Thyatira was situated. The Lydian women have been celebrated for their beautiful purple manufactures. Which worshipped God - That is, she was a proselyte to the Jewish religion; as were probably all the women that resorted hither. Whose heart the Lord opened - As she was a sincere worshipper of God, she was prepared to receive the heavenly truths spoken by Paul and his companions; and, as she was faithful to the grace she had received, so God gave her more grace, and gave her now a Divine conviction that what was spoken by Paul was true; and therefore she attended unto the things - she believed them and received them as the doctrines of God; and in this faith she was joined by her whole family, and in it they were all baptized.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Lydia--a common name among the Greeks and Romans. a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira--on the confines of Lydia and Phrygia. The Lydians, particularly the inhabitants of Thyatira, were celebrated for their dyeing, in which they inherited the reputation of the Tyrians. Inscriptions to this effect, yet remaining, confirm the accuracy of our historian. This woman appears to have been in good circumstances, having an establishment at Philippi large enough to accommodate the missionary party (Act 16:15), and receiving her goods from her native town. which worshipped God--that is, was a proselyte to the Jewish faith, and as such present at this meeting. whose heart the Lord opened--that is, the Lord Jesus (see Act 16:15; and compare Luk 24:45; Mat 11:27). that she attended to the things . . . spoken by Paul--"showing that the inclination of the heart towards the truth originates not in the will of man. The first disposition to turn to the Gospel is a work of grace" [OLSHAUSEN]. Observe here the place assigned to "giving attention" or "heed" to the truth--that species of attention which consists in having the whole mind engrossed with it, and in apprehending and drinking it in, in its vital and saving character.
John Gill Bible Commentary
And a certain woman, named Lydia,.... Whether this woman was a Jewess or a Gentile, is not certain, her name will not determine; she might be called so from the country of Lydia, which was in Asia minor, and where was Thyatira, her native place; Horace makes frequent mention of one of this name (g) and it might be a Jewish name; we read of R. Simeon ben Lydia (h); and as these seem to be Jewish women that met at this oratory, she might be one: a seller of purple; either of purple silks, much wore in the eastern countries; or of the purple dye, which in, "Then Judas returned to spoil the tents, where they got much gold, and silver, and blue silk, and purple of the sea, and great riches.'' (1 Maccabees 4:23) is called "purple of the sea", or "sea purple"; it being the blood or juice of a turbinated shell fish, which the Jews call "Chalson": this they speak of as a shellfish; hence those words (i), "go and learn of the Chalson, for all the while it grows, its shell grows with it:'' and that purple was dyed with the blood of it, appears from the following instances; "the best fruits in the land", Gen 43:11 are interpreted (k), the things that are the most famous in the world, as the Chalson, &c. with whose blood, as the gloss on the passage says, they dye purple: and the purple dyed with this was very valuable, and fetched a good price; the tribe of Zebulun is represented (l), as complaining to God, that he had given to their brethren fields and vineyards, to them mountains and hills, to their brethren lands, and to them seas and rivers; to which it is replied, all will stand in need of thee, because of Chalson; as it is said, Deu 33:19 "They shall suck of the abundance of the seas"; the gloss upon it, interpreting the word Chalson, is, it comes out of the sea to the mountains, and with its blood they dye purple, which is sold at a very dear price. The text in Deu 33:19 is thus paraphrased by Jonathan the Targumist; "at the shore of the sea they dwell (i.e. they of the tribe of Zebulun), and they delight themselves with (the fish) Tuny, and take Chalson, and with its blood dye purple the threads of their garments.'' And so Maimonides says (m), that they use this in dying the fringes on the borders of their garments; after they have scoured the wool, and the like, that it may take the dye, he says, "they take of the blood of Chalson, which is a fish whose colour is like the colour of purple, and its blood is black like ink, and it is found in the salt sea,'' particularly about Tyre; so the husbandmen in Jer 52:16 are interpreted (n), they that catch Chalson from the ladder of Tyre to Chippah, or the shore; the gloss explains it, those that squeeze and press the Chalson, to fetch out its blood: and with all this agree the modern accounts given of purple, as follow; "purple was much esteemed among the ancients, especially the Tyrian purple; which underwent more dyes than the rest, and which was almost peculiar to emperors and kings, yet this purple did not exceed that now in use.--The ancient purple was tinged, or given with the blood or juice of a precious turbinated testaceous sea fish, called by the Greeks and by the Latins "purpura".--In the seas of the Spanish West Indies, about Nicoya, is found a shell fish, which perfectly resembles the ancient "purpura", and in all probability is the very same--these are gathered very plentifully in the spring, and by rubbing one against another, yield a kind of saliva, or thick glair, resembling soft wax; but the purple dye is in the throat of the fish, and the finest part in a little white vein--the chief riches of Nicoya consist in this fish; cloth of Segovia dyed with it, is sold for twenty crowns the ell.--In the Philosoph. Transact., we have an account of a purple fish discovered in 1686, by Mr. W. Cole, on the coasts of Somersetshire, South Wales, &c, where it is found in great abundance.--The fish is a kind of "buccinum", a name given by the ancients to all fishes, whose shell bears any resemblance to a hunting horn; and it appears from Pliny, that part of the ancient purple was taken from this kind of shell fish. The Caribbee Islands have likewise their "purple" fish; it is called "burgan", being of the size of the end of the finger, and resembling our periwinkles; its shell is of a brownish azure, its flesh white, its intestines of a very bright red, the colour whereof appears through the body; and it is this that dyes that froth, which it casts when taken, and which is at first of a violet hue, bordering on blue; to oblige them to yield the greater quantity of froth, they lay them on a plate, and shake and beat them against one another, upon which the plate is immediately covered with the froth, which is received on a linen cloth, and becomes "purple", in proportion as it dries (o).'' It may be further observed, that the fringes which the Jews wore upon their garments, had on them a ribband of blue or purple, Num 15:38, for the word there used, is by the Septuagint rendered "purple", in Num 4:7 and sometimes "hyacinth"; and the whole fringe was by the Jews called "purple" :hence it is said (p), "does not everyone that puts on the "purple" (i.e. the fringes on his garments) in Jerusalem, make men to wonder? and a little after, the former saints, or religious men, when they had wove in it (the garment) three parts, they put on it "the purple".'' And there were persons who traded in these things, and were called , "sellers of purple" (q), as here; that is, for the Tzitzith, or fringes for the borders of the garments, on which the ribband of blue or purple was put, as the gloss explains it: the Jews were very curious about the colour, and the dying of it; that it should be a colour that would hold and not change; and that the ribband be dyed on purpose for that use. Maimonides gives rules for the dying of it (r), and they were no less careful of whom they bought it; for they say, that "the purple" was not to be bought, but of an approved person, or one that was authorized for that purpose (s); and a scruple is raised by one, whether he had done right or no, in buying it of the family of a doctor deceased (t): now since Lydia might be a Jewess, or at least, as appears by what follows, was a proselytess of the Jewish religion, this might be her business to sell the purple for their fringes, and it may be the fringes themselves; and if this was her employment, she was thoroughly a religious person in their way, since we find, that , "sellers of purple", were free from reading "hear O Israel", &c. Deu 6:4 and "from prayer", and from the phylacteries, &c. for this reason, because he that is employed in the commandment (in any work for it) was free from the commandment (u);'' and yet she attended at the place and time of prayer: of the city of Thyatira; which was in Lydia, or as others say in Mysia, which was in Asia Minor; Pliny (w) seems to place it in Ionia, by the river Lycus, and says it was formerly called Pelopia and Euhippa, and it was also called Semiramis; it had its name of Thyatira from Seleucus Nicanor, who being at war with Lysimachus near this place, and hearing he had a daughter born, called it Thygateira; though others say it was so called, because that when the Mysians were about to build a city, inquiring of the gods where they should build it, were told, that they should build it where a hart was struck, and appeared running; and , because of the sacrificing of the hart, they called it Thyateira. The Turks now call it "Ak hissar", the white camp. This was Lydia's native place, from which she was now at a great distance, being either wholly removed hither, or was here upon business; for Thyatira was in Asia, and Philippi, where she now was, was in Europe: which worshipped God; the true God, the God of Israel, and not the gods of the Gentiles, among whom she was; which shows, that she was either a Jewish woman, who had knowledge of the one true and living God, or at least a proselytess of the Jewish religion: heard us; not alone, but with other women; and at first only externally, and not so as to understand and receive what she heard, until the efficacious grace of God was exerted upon her, signified in the following clause: whose heart the Lord opened; which was before shut and barred, with the bars of ignorance, hardness, and unbelief. The heart of a sinner before conversion, is like a house shut up, and wholly in darkness; whatever degree of natural or moral light is in it, there is none in spiritual things; it is empty of the grace of God, of the fear of him, and love to him; it is without proper inhabitants, without God, Christ, and the Spirit; and is the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, who delight in dark and desolate places; it is bolted and barred with unbelief, and walled up, and even petrified and hardened with sin, and is guarded and garrisoned by Satan, and its goods are kept in peace by him: and this had been the case of Lydia; but now the Lord opened her understanding, and put light into it, which was before darkness itself; as to spiritual things; by which she saw her wretched, sinful, and miserable state by nature, the insufficiency of all ways and means, and works, to justify and save her, and the necessity, suitableness, and fulness of grace and salvation by Christ; which was done by the same divine power, that at first created light in darkness: moreover, the Lord wrought upon her affections, and engaged them to divine and spiritual things; creating love in her soul to Christ, to his people, truths and ordinances; which was done by his almighty hand, taking away the stony heart, and giving an heart of flesh: he also removed the bar of unbelief, entered in himself, dispossessed Satan, and worked faith in her, to look to him, lay hold on him, and receive him, as her Saviour and Redeemer; making her willing in the day of his power, to be saved by him, and to serve him: it is a petition the Jews frequently make (x), in their prayers to God, , "that thou wouldst open my heart", in thy law; or as sometimes, open our hearts in the doctrine of thy law: not Lydia herself, nor the Apostle Paul, but the Lord opened her heart; Jehovah the Father, who commanded light out of darkness; Jehovah the Son, who has the key of the house of David; Jehovah the Spirit, who convinces of sin, righteousness, and judgment: that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul; concerning the person and offices of Christ, concerning his truths and ordinances, concerning free justification by his righteousness, pardon by his blood, and everlasting salvation by him; these things she hearkened unto in another manner than she had done; before she heard, but did not attend to what she heard; but faith coming by hearing, now she hears with the hearing of faith, and understands what she hears, and cordially receives and embraces it, and put into practice what she heard, submitting to the ordinance of Christ, as follows. (g) Carm. l. 1. ode 8, 13, 25. & l. 3. ode 9. (h) Juchasin, fol. 105. 1. (i) Shirhashirim Rabba, fol. 18. 3. (k) Bereshit Rabbi, sect. 91. fol. 79. 4. & Mattanot Cehunah in ib. (l) T. Bab. Megilla, fol. 6. 1. (m) Hilchot Tzitzith, c. 2. sect. 2. (n) T. Bab. Sabbat, fol. 26. 1. & 75. 1. (o) Chambers's Cyclopoedia in the word "Purple". (p) T. Bab. Menachot, fol. 40. 1, 2. (q) T. Bab. Pesachim, fol. 50. 2. (r) Maimon. Hilchot Tzitzith. c. 2. sect. 1, 2, 3. (s) Ib. sect. 4. (t) T. Bab. Avoda Zara, fol. 39. 1. (u) T. Bab. Succa, fol. 26. 1. (w) Nat. Hist. l. 5. c. 29. (x) Zohar in Exod. fol. 83. 1. Raziel, fol. 45. 1. & 42. 1, 2. Shaare Zion, fol. 53. 2. & 65. 1. Seder Tephillot. Ed. Basil. fol 74. 2.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
16:14-15 The first person changed by Christ in Philippi was Lydia, a successful businesswoman from Thyatira (modern Akhisar), a city of western Asia Minor famous for its woolen fabrics, weavers, and linens. Lydia responded to the message and she and her household were baptized (cp. 16:32-33). • One of Lydia’s first acts as a true believer in the Lord was to extend hospitality to the visiting missionaries. Hospitality is an important Christian virtue (Matt 25:31-46; Rom 12:13; 16:23; 1 Tim 3:2; Titus 1:8; Heb 13:2; 1 Pet 4:9; 3 Jn 1:5-8; cp. Gen 18:1-8; 19:1-3; 24:23-33).
Acts 16:14
Lydia’s Conversion in Philippi
13On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate along the river, where it was customary to find a place of prayer. After sitting down, we spoke to the women who had gathered there.14Among 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.15And when she and her household had been baptized, she urged us, “If you consider me a believer in the Lord, come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Effectual Calling- Faith and Repentance by Mario Digangi
By Mariano Di Gangi1.3K43:14PSA 32:5EZK 36:26JHN 10:27ACT 16:14ACT 16:31ROM 8:28GAL 5:11PE 2:9
This sermon delves into the concept of effectual calling, exploring the multifaceted meanings of the word 'call' and its significance in the context of God's predestination and salvation plan. It emphasizes the inward call of God that leads to repentance and faith, highlighting the radical transformation and new life that occurs when one responds to God's call. The sermon draws from various biblical passages, including Romans 8, Acts 16, and Psalms, to illustrate the process of being effectually called by God and the infallible evidences of repentance and faith.
Robert Murray Mccheyne - Saintly Pastor of Dundee (Famous Saints #1)
By Stephen Hamilton1.3K57:10Robert Murray McCheynePSA 27:8MAT 6:33JHN 9:4ACT 16:141CO 2:2JAS 1:211PE 1:23The video is a sermon transcript about the preaching of the word of God by Robert Murray McShane. The main focus of the sermon is on John chapter 9 verse 4, where Jesus says, "I must work the works of him that sent me while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work." McShane's life and ministry were marked by this verse, as he emphasized the importance of living in a way that would be missed at one's departure. After only two years of ministry, McShane's health began to fail, and he eventually passed away. Despite his short time in ministry, McShane's intellect and dedication to studying the Bible were evident, and he left a lasting impact on both the town and the church.
Let God Rule Supreme
By Erlo Stegen1.2K1:03:11Rule Of GodACT 16:5ACT 16:9ACT 16:14ACT 16:16ACT 16:23ACT 16:30In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of being wise and sober-minded, as fools are prone to error and downfall. The preacher also highlights the significance of having a wife or a close family member for support and guidance. The sermon references the story of Lydia, who had her heart opened by the Lord upon hearing the Gospel message. The preacher contrasts the value of the Gospel with the worthlessness of worldly fashions, comparing them to pig's food. The sermon also mentions the encounters with a girl possessed by a spirit of divination and a jailer, both of whom were impacted by the power of God. The preacher emphasizes the faith and resilience of Paul and Silas, who prayed and sang hymns even while imprisoned, leading to a miraculous release. The sermon concludes by cautioning against being legalistic and drawing parallels to the opposition faced by Christians in South Africa.
(The Aggressive Holy Spirit) Word & Spirit: How God Implants Truth
By Jim Elliff87851:40MAT 6:33MAT 13:10MRK 4:1LUK 8:4JHN 6:44ACT 16:14In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the parable of the soils from Matthew 13. The main theme is understanding how God brings light and understanding to those who don't have it. The preacher emphasizes the importance of recognizing our dependence on God and the futility of relying solely on repetition or human effort for understanding. The sermon also highlights the supernatural work of God's Spirit in opening hearts and minds to comprehend the truth of His word. Additionally, the preacher discusses the blessings of understanding and how even the prophets longed to see and hear what the disciples were privileged to experience.
A Career-and Christ
By A.W. Tozer0Eternal FulfillmentWomen in ChristACT 16:14A.W. Tozer emphasizes the story of Lydia of Philippi, a successful career woman who found true freedom and satisfaction through her encounter with Jesus Christ. Despite her accomplishments as a seller of purple, Lydia discovered that her career could not provide the eternal fulfillment she sought. Tozer draws parallels to modern society, where women have gained freedom but often find themselves just as lost and miserable as before. He urges women today to seek the eternal answer in Christ, as Lydia did, to find true purpose beyond their careers. Ultimately, Tozer calls for a deeper understanding of fulfillment that transcends societal achievements.
The Holy Spirit Convincing.
By Andrew Bonar0Conviction and ConversionThe Role of the Holy SpiritPSA 72:4JHN 16:8ACT 8:32ACT 16:14Andrew Bonar emphasizes the vital role of the Holy Spirit in convincing the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. He explains that the Spirit awakens the conscience of sinners, revealing their need for salvation and the righteousness found in Christ. Bonar illustrates how the Spirit works silently yet powerfully, guiding individuals to recognize their sinfulness and the judgment awaiting those who reject Christ. He encourages believers to honor the Holy Spirit, as His work is essential for both personal transformation and the salvation of others. Ultimately, Bonar calls the Church to be active in welcoming the Spirit's work, as it leads to revival and outreach to the lost.
Day 57, Acts 18:1-17
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The Twofoldness of Divine Truth
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Irresistible Grace
By Ronald Hanko0PSA 110:3JHN 6:44ACT 16:14ROM 8:29ROM 9:16EPH 2:8PHP 2:13Ronald Hanko delves into the theological debate on whether salvation depends on God's grace or the sinner's free will, emphasizing the doctrine of irresistible grace. Irresistible grace asserts that when God determines to save a person, nothing can hinder that salvation, highlighting the sovereignty of God in the process. The sermon explores key Bible passages supporting salvation by grace alone, the denial of free will, and the practical importance of understanding irresistible grace for assurance of salvation and intercessory prayer.
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By William Guthrie0PRO 1:24MAT 20:16LUK 19:3LUK 23:39JHN 16:8ACT 16:14ROM 3:15ROM 6:14ROM 7:92CO 5:14William Guthrie preaches about the marks by which a person may know if they are in covenant with God and have a special interest in Christ. He discusses the preparatory work of the law, emphasizing its role in leading souls to the 'Spirit of adoption.' Guthrie highlights three main ways in which individuals are called to Christ: some from the womb, some in a sovereign gospel-way, and some graciously at the hour of death. He also delves into God's more ordinary way of calling sinners through a discernible work of the law and humiliation, leading to a gracious work of God's Spirit.
Shepherd of the Churches
By Henry Bullinger0MRK 16:15ACT 16:14ROM 10:172CO 13:14EPH 4:3Henry Bullinger, a Swiss-born Reformer, played a significant role in the English Reformation, producing more Christian writings than Luther, Calvin, and Zwingli combined. His works were widely printed and influential, with English Puritans and Presbyterians leaning more on Bullinger than Calvin. Bullinger's emphasis on sound doctrine, acceptance of the New Testament Canon, and pioneering work on Revelation impacted the Reformation movement. He faced challenges with the Catabaptists, but his diplomatic approach and commitment to biblical principles guided his interactions.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Lydia, a seller of purple - She probably had her name from the province of Lydia, in which the city of Thyatira was situated. The Lydian women have been celebrated for their beautiful purple manufactures. Which worshipped God - That is, she was a proselyte to the Jewish religion; as were probably all the women that resorted hither. Whose heart the Lord opened - As she was a sincere worshipper of God, she was prepared to receive the heavenly truths spoken by Paul and his companions; and, as she was faithful to the grace she had received, so God gave her more grace, and gave her now a Divine conviction that what was spoken by Paul was true; and therefore she attended unto the things - she believed them and received them as the doctrines of God; and in this faith she was joined by her whole family, and in it they were all baptized.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Lydia--a common name among the Greeks and Romans. a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira--on the confines of Lydia and Phrygia. The Lydians, particularly the inhabitants of Thyatira, were celebrated for their dyeing, in which they inherited the reputation of the Tyrians. Inscriptions to this effect, yet remaining, confirm the accuracy of our historian. This woman appears to have been in good circumstances, having an establishment at Philippi large enough to accommodate the missionary party (Act 16:15), and receiving her goods from her native town. which worshipped God--that is, was a proselyte to the Jewish faith, and as such present at this meeting. whose heart the Lord opened--that is, the Lord Jesus (see Act 16:15; and compare Luk 24:45; Mat 11:27). that she attended to the things . . . spoken by Paul--"showing that the inclination of the heart towards the truth originates not in the will of man. The first disposition to turn to the Gospel is a work of grace" [OLSHAUSEN]. Observe here the place assigned to "giving attention" or "heed" to the truth--that species of attention which consists in having the whole mind engrossed with it, and in apprehending and drinking it in, in its vital and saving character.
John Gill Bible Commentary
And a certain woman, named Lydia,.... Whether this woman was a Jewess or a Gentile, is not certain, her name will not determine; she might be called so from the country of Lydia, which was in Asia minor, and where was Thyatira, her native place; Horace makes frequent mention of one of this name (g) and it might be a Jewish name; we read of R. Simeon ben Lydia (h); and as these seem to be Jewish women that met at this oratory, she might be one: a seller of purple; either of purple silks, much wore in the eastern countries; or of the purple dye, which in, "Then Judas returned to spoil the tents, where they got much gold, and silver, and blue silk, and purple of the sea, and great riches.'' (1 Maccabees 4:23) is called "purple of the sea", or "sea purple"; it being the blood or juice of a turbinated shell fish, which the Jews call "Chalson": this they speak of as a shellfish; hence those words (i), "go and learn of the Chalson, for all the while it grows, its shell grows with it:'' and that purple was dyed with the blood of it, appears from the following instances; "the best fruits in the land", Gen 43:11 are interpreted (k), the things that are the most famous in the world, as the Chalson, &c. with whose blood, as the gloss on the passage says, they dye purple: and the purple dyed with this was very valuable, and fetched a good price; the tribe of Zebulun is represented (l), as complaining to God, that he had given to their brethren fields and vineyards, to them mountains and hills, to their brethren lands, and to them seas and rivers; to which it is replied, all will stand in need of thee, because of Chalson; as it is said, Deu 33:19 "They shall suck of the abundance of the seas"; the gloss upon it, interpreting the word Chalson, is, it comes out of the sea to the mountains, and with its blood they dye purple, which is sold at a very dear price. The text in Deu 33:19 is thus paraphrased by Jonathan the Targumist; "at the shore of the sea they dwell (i.e. they of the tribe of Zebulun), and they delight themselves with (the fish) Tuny, and take Chalson, and with its blood dye purple the threads of their garments.'' And so Maimonides says (m), that they use this in dying the fringes on the borders of their garments; after they have scoured the wool, and the like, that it may take the dye, he says, "they take of the blood of Chalson, which is a fish whose colour is like the colour of purple, and its blood is black like ink, and it is found in the salt sea,'' particularly about Tyre; so the husbandmen in Jer 52:16 are interpreted (n), they that catch Chalson from the ladder of Tyre to Chippah, or the shore; the gloss explains it, those that squeeze and press the Chalson, to fetch out its blood: and with all this agree the modern accounts given of purple, as follow; "purple was much esteemed among the ancients, especially the Tyrian purple; which underwent more dyes than the rest, and which was almost peculiar to emperors and kings, yet this purple did not exceed that now in use.--The ancient purple was tinged, or given with the blood or juice of a precious turbinated testaceous sea fish, called by the Greeks and by the Latins "purpura".--In the seas of the Spanish West Indies, about Nicoya, is found a shell fish, which perfectly resembles the ancient "purpura", and in all probability is the very same--these are gathered very plentifully in the spring, and by rubbing one against another, yield a kind of saliva, or thick glair, resembling soft wax; but the purple dye is in the throat of the fish, and the finest part in a little white vein--the chief riches of Nicoya consist in this fish; cloth of Segovia dyed with it, is sold for twenty crowns the ell.--In the Philosoph. Transact., we have an account of a purple fish discovered in 1686, by Mr. W. Cole, on the coasts of Somersetshire, South Wales, &c, where it is found in great abundance.--The fish is a kind of "buccinum", a name given by the ancients to all fishes, whose shell bears any resemblance to a hunting horn; and it appears from Pliny, that part of the ancient purple was taken from this kind of shell fish. The Caribbee Islands have likewise their "purple" fish; it is called "burgan", being of the size of the end of the finger, and resembling our periwinkles; its shell is of a brownish azure, its flesh white, its intestines of a very bright red, the colour whereof appears through the body; and it is this that dyes that froth, which it casts when taken, and which is at first of a violet hue, bordering on blue; to oblige them to yield the greater quantity of froth, they lay them on a plate, and shake and beat them against one another, upon which the plate is immediately covered with the froth, which is received on a linen cloth, and becomes "purple", in proportion as it dries (o).'' It may be further observed, that the fringes which the Jews wore upon their garments, had on them a ribband of blue or purple, Num 15:38, for the word there used, is by the Septuagint rendered "purple", in Num 4:7 and sometimes "hyacinth"; and the whole fringe was by the Jews called "purple" :hence it is said (p), "does not everyone that puts on the "purple" (i.e. the fringes on his garments) in Jerusalem, make men to wonder? and a little after, the former saints, or religious men, when they had wove in it (the garment) three parts, they put on it "the purple".'' And there were persons who traded in these things, and were called , "sellers of purple" (q), as here; that is, for the Tzitzith, or fringes for the borders of the garments, on which the ribband of blue or purple was put, as the gloss explains it: the Jews were very curious about the colour, and the dying of it; that it should be a colour that would hold and not change; and that the ribband be dyed on purpose for that use. Maimonides gives rules for the dying of it (r), and they were no less careful of whom they bought it; for they say, that "the purple" was not to be bought, but of an approved person, or one that was authorized for that purpose (s); and a scruple is raised by one, whether he had done right or no, in buying it of the family of a doctor deceased (t): now since Lydia might be a Jewess, or at least, as appears by what follows, was a proselytess of the Jewish religion, this might be her business to sell the purple for their fringes, and it may be the fringes themselves; and if this was her employment, she was thoroughly a religious person in their way, since we find, that , "sellers of purple", were free from reading "hear O Israel", &c. Deu 6:4 and "from prayer", and from the phylacteries, &c. for this reason, because he that is employed in the commandment (in any work for it) was free from the commandment (u);'' and yet she attended at the place and time of prayer: of the city of Thyatira; which was in Lydia, or as others say in Mysia, which was in Asia Minor; Pliny (w) seems to place it in Ionia, by the river Lycus, and says it was formerly called Pelopia and Euhippa, and it was also called Semiramis; it had its name of Thyatira from Seleucus Nicanor, who being at war with Lysimachus near this place, and hearing he had a daughter born, called it Thygateira; though others say it was so called, because that when the Mysians were about to build a city, inquiring of the gods where they should build it, were told, that they should build it where a hart was struck, and appeared running; and , because of the sacrificing of the hart, they called it Thyateira. The Turks now call it "Ak hissar", the white camp. This was Lydia's native place, from which she was now at a great distance, being either wholly removed hither, or was here upon business; for Thyatira was in Asia, and Philippi, where she now was, was in Europe: which worshipped God; the true God, the God of Israel, and not the gods of the Gentiles, among whom she was; which shows, that she was either a Jewish woman, who had knowledge of the one true and living God, or at least a proselytess of the Jewish religion: heard us; not alone, but with other women; and at first only externally, and not so as to understand and receive what she heard, until the efficacious grace of God was exerted upon her, signified in the following clause: whose heart the Lord opened; which was before shut and barred, with the bars of ignorance, hardness, and unbelief. The heart of a sinner before conversion, is like a house shut up, and wholly in darkness; whatever degree of natural or moral light is in it, there is none in spiritual things; it is empty of the grace of God, of the fear of him, and love to him; it is without proper inhabitants, without God, Christ, and the Spirit; and is the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, who delight in dark and desolate places; it is bolted and barred with unbelief, and walled up, and even petrified and hardened with sin, and is guarded and garrisoned by Satan, and its goods are kept in peace by him: and this had been the case of Lydia; but now the Lord opened her understanding, and put light into it, which was before darkness itself; as to spiritual things; by which she saw her wretched, sinful, and miserable state by nature, the insufficiency of all ways and means, and works, to justify and save her, and the necessity, suitableness, and fulness of grace and salvation by Christ; which was done by the same divine power, that at first created light in darkness: moreover, the Lord wrought upon her affections, and engaged them to divine and spiritual things; creating love in her soul to Christ, to his people, truths and ordinances; which was done by his almighty hand, taking away the stony heart, and giving an heart of flesh: he also removed the bar of unbelief, entered in himself, dispossessed Satan, and worked faith in her, to look to him, lay hold on him, and receive him, as her Saviour and Redeemer; making her willing in the day of his power, to be saved by him, and to serve him: it is a petition the Jews frequently make (x), in their prayers to God, , "that thou wouldst open my heart", in thy law; or as sometimes, open our hearts in the doctrine of thy law: not Lydia herself, nor the Apostle Paul, but the Lord opened her heart; Jehovah the Father, who commanded light out of darkness; Jehovah the Son, who has the key of the house of David; Jehovah the Spirit, who convinces of sin, righteousness, and judgment: that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul; concerning the person and offices of Christ, concerning his truths and ordinances, concerning free justification by his righteousness, pardon by his blood, and everlasting salvation by him; these things she hearkened unto in another manner than she had done; before she heard, but did not attend to what she heard; but faith coming by hearing, now she hears with the hearing of faith, and understands what she hears, and cordially receives and embraces it, and put into practice what she heard, submitting to the ordinance of Christ, as follows. (g) Carm. l. 1. ode 8, 13, 25. & l. 3. ode 9. (h) Juchasin, fol. 105. 1. (i) Shirhashirim Rabba, fol. 18. 3. (k) Bereshit Rabbi, sect. 91. fol. 79. 4. & Mattanot Cehunah in ib. (l) T. Bab. Megilla, fol. 6. 1. (m) Hilchot Tzitzith, c. 2. sect. 2. (n) T. Bab. Sabbat, fol. 26. 1. & 75. 1. (o) Chambers's Cyclopoedia in the word "Purple". (p) T. Bab. Menachot, fol. 40. 1, 2. (q) T. Bab. Pesachim, fol. 50. 2. (r) Maimon. Hilchot Tzitzith. c. 2. sect. 1, 2, 3. (s) Ib. sect. 4. (t) T. Bab. Avoda Zara, fol. 39. 1. (u) T. Bab. Succa, fol. 26. 1. (w) Nat. Hist. l. 5. c. 29. (x) Zohar in Exod. fol. 83. 1. Raziel, fol. 45. 1. & 42. 1, 2. Shaare Zion, fol. 53. 2. & 65. 1. Seder Tephillot. Ed. Basil. fol 74. 2.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
16:14-15 The first person changed by Christ in Philippi was Lydia, a successful businesswoman from Thyatira (modern Akhisar), a city of western Asia Minor famous for its woolen fabrics, weavers, and linens. Lydia responded to the message and she and her household were baptized (cp. 16:32-33). • One of Lydia’s first acts as a true believer in the Lord was to extend hospitality to the visiting missionaries. Hospitality is an important Christian virtue (Matt 25:31-46; Rom 12:13; 16:23; 1 Tim 3:2; Titus 1:8; Heb 13:2; 1 Pet 4:9; 3 Jn 1:5-8; cp. Gen 18:1-8; 19:1-3; 24:23-33).