Lydia was an important woman who is mentioned in the New Testament book of Acts. Here is an overview of what the Bible teaches about Lydia:
Lydia Lived in the City of Thyatira
The Bible first introduces Lydia in Acts 16:14, where she is identified as “a worshiper of God” who was from the city of Thyatira. Thyatira was located in the Roman province of Asia (modern day western Turkey) and was known for its guild of dyers and fabric merchants. This background helps explain how Lydia made her living (more on that below).
Lydia Was a Seller of Purple Fabric
Acts 16:14 describes Lydia as “a seller of purple.” Purple fabric was very rare, expensive, and associated with royalty in the ancient world. Thyatira was famous for producing this rare purple dye. Lydia likely had connections to the dying industry in Thyatira and made her living selling high-end purple fabrics.
Lydia Worshipped God
The Bible says Lydia was “a worshiper of God” (Acts 16:14). This means she believed in the one true God even though she was a Gentile (non-Jewish person). At this time, Christianity had not yet spread widely, so Lydia was likely a God-fearing Gentile who worshipped according to Old Testament principles without fully converting to Judaism.
Lydia Met Paul and Believed in Jesus
One day, the apostle Paul visited Lydia’s city of Philippi as part of his second missionary journey. Acts 16:13-15 describes how Lydia met Paul and heard him preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. God opened Lydia’s heart to respond to Paul’s message, and she became a Christian believer.
Lydia was then baptized, along with her whole household. This makes her one of the first converts to Christianity in Europe.
Lydia Hosted Paul and His Companions
After Lydia believed in Jesus, she opened her home to Paul and his companions (Acts 16:15). She insisted they stay at her house, demonstrating hospitality and kindness. Lydia used her affluence and resources to support the early Christian missionaries.
Lydia May Have Helped Establish the Philippian Church
Lydia was one of the earliest converts in Philippi. She likely helped establish and grow the church in that city. Paul’s letter to the Philippians indicates that church had multiple leadership roles for women (Philippians 4:2-3). Lydia may have been one of those early women leaders in the Philippian church.
In summary, Lydia was a successful businesswoman who worshipped God even before becoming a Christian. Her heart was opened by the Lord to receive the gospel through Paul’s preaching. Lydia then used her influence and resources to support the early church’s mission. She sets an example of hospitality, generosity, and devotion to Christ.
Key Facts About Lydia
- She was originally from Thyatira in the Roman province of Asia (western Turkey)
- Lydia was involved in selling expensive purple dyed fabrics
- She already worshipped God before becoming a Christian
- Lydia met Paul in Philippi and believed in Jesus
- She offered her home to support Paul’s missionary team
- Lydia may have helped establish the church at Philippi
Lessons We Can Learn From Lydia
Though Lydia’s story is brief, her example teaches us some important lessons:
- God can open anyone’s heart. God enabled Lydia to respond to the gospel, showing He can open hearts from all backgrounds.
- Hospitality matters. Lydia demonstrated radical hospitality by hosting Paul and his companions in her home.
- Use your gifts to serve God’s work. Lydia used her economic resources and social leverage to advance God’s mission.
- Women play vital roles in ministry. Lydia was an exemplary woman leader in the early church.
Every Reference to Lydia in the Bible
There is only one passage in the Bible that mentions Lydia by name. Here are the verses in Acts 16 that refer to Lydia:
Acts 16:14 – One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul.
Acts 16:15 – And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.
Acts 16:40 – So they went out of the prison and visited Lydia. And when they had seen the brothers, they encouraged them and departed.
This short account in Acts 16 gives us all the biblical information we have about this remarkable woman of faith!
Other People Named Lydia in the Bible
There a few other minor biblical characters named Lydia:
- In Ezra 2:57, a Jewish man returning from the Babylonian exile has a daughter named Lydia.
- In 1 Timothy 1:5, Paul mentions a devout Christian woman in Ephesus named Lydia.
- A different Lydia from Thyatira is mentioned in Revelation 2:18-24 as a member of the church in the city.
But the Lydia in Acts 16 clearly stands out as the most prominent Lydia in Scripture.
Significance of Lydia’s Conversion
Lydia’s conversion was hugely significant because she was likely one of the very first converts to Christianity in Europe. Christianity spread westward from Jerusalem, making inroads into Asia Minor and Greece before reaching Europe. Since Lydia was from Asia Minor but living in Macedonia, her conversion represents a milestone in spreading the gospel across the continent. The Philippian church that Lydia helped found became one of the most generous supporters of Paul’s ministry (Philippians 4:15).
Lydia as a Businesswoman
As a “seller of purple,” Lydia occupied an unusual role for a woman in the ancient world. Dealing in luxury fabrics would have required extensive travel, substantial capital, and active management of her business dealings. That Lydia spearheaded such an operation shows her acumen as an entrepreneur. She did not let cultural norms restrict her. Lydia leveraged her success in business to advance God’s purposes when she encountered the gospel.
Lydia’s Generous Hospitality
Opening her home to Paul, Silas, Timothy, and Luke demonstrated exemplary hospitality. She insisted on hosting them, even though they were complete strangers, because she recognized the blessings their ministry would bring. Her generosity allowed the gospel mission to advance in Philippi. Lydia was willing to sacrificially serve God’s work.
Lydia as a Woman of Faith
Lydia’s spiritual sensitivity is evident even before meeting Paul, as she already “worshipped God” as a God-fearing Gentile (Acts 16:14). When she heard the gospel, God opened her heart to believe. Lydia models receptive faith, eagerly embracing the truth of Christ’s good news. Though she came from a pagan background, God drew her to worship Him even in limited revelation. When greater light dawned, Lydia walked fully in the light.
Lydia’s Household Baptism
After Lydia believed in Jesus, her entire household was baptized as well (Acts 16:15). This likely included servants and/or family members living with her. That her whole household converted together indicates Lydia’s influence as a spiritual leader in her home. She apparently shared her newfound faith and urged her whole family to be baptized as well.
Lydia as a Church Planter
Acts 16 does not explicitly say Lydia planted or co-planted the Philippian church, but it seems highly likely given the circumstances. As an initial convert, she would have been a foundational member of the fledgling congregation. Her spacious house presumably hosted the new church’s meetings too. Early church planting efforts were often led by women, and Lydia fits that pattern in Philippi.
Paul and Silas Visited Lydia After Prison
Paul, Silas, and Timothy were imprisoned in Philippi after their encounter with Lydia (Acts 16:16-40). After a miraculous earthquake opened the prison doors, the magistrates released them and asked them to leave Philippi. On their way out, Paul and his companions went to Lydia’s house to encourage the new believers there (Acts 16:40). This shows Lydia maintained contact with Paul even after his departure.
Parallels Between Lydia and the Philippian Jailer
Interestingly, the Philippian jailer whom Paul led to Christ immediately after meeting Lydia also “rejoiced along with his entire household” when he believed in Jesus (Acts 16:34). Then the jailer washed Paul and Silas’ wounds and hosted them in his home, though as prisoners rather than guests. So both Lydia and the Philippian jailer experienced household conversions and responded with hospitable actions.
Lessons From Lydia for Women
As a woman who independently managed a thriving international business, Lydia broke conventional molds for women in her day. Her story inspires women to pursue professional goals while staying grounded in faith. Lydia models multi-dimensional lives as entrepreneurs, leaders, and disciples. She balanced business, home, and ministry successfully. The Bible esteems Lydia as an exemplary woman of God.
Lydia’s Character Traits
Though brief, the account of Lydia reveals many admirable traits that believers should emulate:
- Hospitable
- Entrepreneurial
- Courageous
- Generous
- Persuasive
- Diligent
- Devout
- Zealous
- Capable
- Determined
- Humble
- Selfless
This impressive list of virtues made Lydia mightily used by God for kingdom growth despite being a female foreigner in a patriarchal society.
Lydia’s Name Meaning
The name Lydia literally means “the Lydian woman.” Lydia was the name of the region she was from (an area called Lydia located in western Turkey). So her name essentially identified her place of origin. This was a common practice at the time – people would take the name of their home region as their given name.
Lydia in Commentaries
Many Bible commentators highlight Lydia’s exemplary traits:
- John Gill calls Lydia “a devout religious woman…whose heart the Lord opened to attend to the things spoken by the apostle Paul.”
- Matthew Henry remarks that Lydia was “inclined to be religious; one that worshipped God, and embraced the truth and faith of the Jews.”
- The Expositor’s Bible Commentary says Lydia “was ‘a worshiper of God’ – i.e., a Gentile proselyte to Judaism” who experienced an “opening of the heart to heed what Paul said about Jesus Christ.”
- The IVP Bible Background Commentary notes Lydia was “probably a Godfearer – a Gentile who worshiped the God of Israel.”
- The Pillar New Testament Commentary observes Lydia was “already a ‘God-fearer’…Thus prepared by the prior working of God, she responded immediately and positively to Paul’s message.”
These experts agree Lydia already had some knowledge of God before Paul arrived, making her spiritually primed to embrace the gospel.
Lydia’s Death and Legacy
The Bible does not record when or how Lydia died. Church tradition claims she was killed along with other believers during the persecution under Emperor Nero around 67-68 AD. However, this is not certain. What we do know is that Lydia’s legacy lived on through her role establishing the church at Philippi, which later became a pillar of the early Christian movement.
Today, Lydia remains renowned as an exemplary woman of faith. By applying her considerable gifts to advance the gospel, Lydia surrendered her life to God’s purposes. Her story continues to inspire Christians seeking to serve Jesus wholeheartedly.