Lexical Summary Ludia: Lydia Original Word: Λυδία Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Lydia, a Christian woman Properly, feminine of Ludios (of foreign origin) (a Lydian, in Asia Minor); Lydia, a Christian woman: -Lydia. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof foreign origin, fem. of Ludios (of Lydia, a region in Asia Minor) Definition Lydia, a Christian woman NASB Translation Lydia (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3070: ΛυδίαΛυδία, Λυδιας, ἡ, Lydia, a woman of Thyatira, a seller of purple, converted by Paul to the Christian faith: Acts 16:14, 40. The name was borne by other women also, Horat. carm. 1, 8; 3, 9. Topical Lexicon Identity and Background Lydia was a businesswoman originally from the city of Thyatira, a center for the production of the costly purple dye prized throughout the Greco-Roman world. Although she resided in Philippi of Macedonia when she encountered the gospel, her personal name preserved the memory of her native region, ancient Lydia in western Asia Minor. Scripture calls her “a worshiper of God,” marking her as a Gentile who had come to fear the God of Israel and who joined Jewish women in prayer by the riverside outside Philippi (Acts 16:13-14). Biblical Narrative Acts 16:14 records her conversion during Paul’s first visit to Philippi: “One of 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.” Her immediate response was baptism, together with her household, followed by the offer of hospitality: “If you consider me a believer in the Lord, come and stay at my house.” (Acts 16:15) After Paul and Silas were released from prison they returned to “Lydia’s house, where they met with the brothers and encouraged them” before departing (Acts 16:40). These two verses contain the New Testament’s only direct uses of the name. Historical and Cultural Context 1. Purple cloth was a luxury article associated with royalty and wealth (Luke 16:19; Revelation 18:16). Lydia’s occupation signals financial means and access to elite clientele, explaining how she possessed a house large enough to host traveling missionaries and the fledgling church. Theological Themes • Sovereign Grace: “The Lord opened her heart,” highlighting divine initiative in salvation (cf. John 6:44; Ephesians 2:8-9). Ministry Impact and Legacy 1. First Recorded European Convert: Lydia’s conversion marks the opening of the gospel on the European continent, fulfilling Jesus’ mandate to bear witness “to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Related Scriptural Connections • Proverbs 31:22 – The virtuous woman “is clothed in fine linen and purple,” a parallel to Lydia’s trade. Lessons for Contemporary Believers • God uses ordinary vocational settings—business, trade, and family life—as arenas for gospel advance. Lydia thus stands as a pivotal figure: a God-fearing Gentile woman whose open heart and open home opened a continent to the good news of Jesus Christ. Forms and Transliterations Λυδια Λυδία Λυδιαν Λυδίαν Ludia Ludian Lydia Lydía Lydian LydíanLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Acts 16:14 N-NFSGRK: γυνὴ ὀνόματι Λυδία πορφυρόπωλις πόλεως NAS: named Lydia, from the city KJV: named Lydia, a seller of purple, INT: woman by name Lydia a seller of purple of [the] city Acts 16:40 N-AFS Strong's Greek 3070 |
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