The first known convert of Paul in Europe was a businesswoman named Lydia. As Paul and his entourage traveled through modern-day Greece, they began a discussion with a group of women at a gathering place just outside of Philippi.

One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She 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.

Lydia was already warm to the ways of God, and when Paul introduced her to the person of Jesus she responded wholeheartedly. Then she invited Paul and all his party to stay at her home.

Lydia was a wealthy woman. Purple dyes were derived from the glands of a certain type of sea snail. Harvesting these snails and producing the dye took a huge amount of time and effort. Only royalty and other wealthy people wore purple (remember the guards crucifying Jesus robed him in purple and mocked him as the King of the Jews).

Lydia moved among people of means, but despite those connections (or perhaps because of them) she hungered for the living God. It was not a happy accident that Paul met Lydia and introduced her to Jesus. The Lord finds those who seek after him.

Lydia shared her new-found faith with her friends and customers. Then those who latched on to Jesus did the same. Networking spread the good news across the Mediterranean region, and this successful businesswoman formed an early link in that chain of faith.

Acts 16 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by Moonstarious Project