Topical Bible: Love to Man: Lydia

◄ Love to Man: Lydia ►

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Lydia, a prominent figure in the New Testament, is a remarkable example of love and hospitality towards others, as demonstrated in her interactions with the Apostle Paul and his companions. Her account is primarily found in the Book of Acts, where she is introduced as a successful businesswoman and a devout worshiper of God.

Background and Conversion

Lydia hailed from the city of Thyatira, a place renowned for its production of purple dye, which was a luxury item in the ancient world. She is described as a "seller of purple goods" (Acts 16:14), indicating her involvement in a lucrative trade. Her business acumen and status suggest that she was a woman of considerable means and influence.

Lydia's encounter with Paul occurs in Philippi, a leading city of the district of Macedonia. On the Sabbath, Paul and his companions went outside the city gate to the river, where they expected to find a place of prayer. There, they met Lydia, who was among the women gathered. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul's message, and she and her household were baptized (Acts 16:13-15). This moment marks Lydia as the first recorded convert to Christianity in Europe.

Hospitality and Support

Lydia's love for others is vividly illustrated through her immediate response to her newfound faith. After her baptism, she urged Paul and his companions to stay at her home, saying, "If you consider me a believer in the Lord, come and stay at my house" (Acts 16:15). Her insistence and generosity reflect a deep commitment to the well-being of the early Christian missionaries and the spread of the Gospel.

Her home became a center for Christian fellowship and ministry, providing a safe haven for Paul and his companions. This act of hospitality not only supported the missionaries but also facilitated the growth of the early church in Philippi. Lydia's willingness to open her home demonstrates a profound love for her fellow believers and a desire to serve the Lord through practical means.

Legacy and Influence

Lydia's account, though brief, leaves a lasting impact on the narrative of the early church. Her conversion and subsequent actions exemplify the transformative power of the Gospel and the role of women in the early Christian community. Her love and hospitality set a standard for Christian service, highlighting the importance of using one's resources and influence for the advancement of God's kingdom.

In the broader context of Scripture, Lydia's life serves as a testament to the call for believers to love one another through acts of kindness, generosity, and support. Her example encourages Christians to extend hospitality and care to those who labor for the Gospel, embodying the love of Christ in tangible ways.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts 16:15
And when she was baptized, and her household, she sought us, saying, If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Lydia, the First European Convert
... after him, and to desire to know his love and power ... ABC!" "Yes," said a third party,
"but the man you are ... Lydia's heart was opened to attend to the gospel, that ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/lydia the first european convert.htm

What is the Christian Home?
... God, therefore, hath joined together, let not man put asunder ... one another; but the
real bond,"the love of God ... God with all his house,""of Lydia, and Crispus ...
//christianbookshelf.org/philips/the christian home/chapter i what is the.htm

The Parables Exemplified in the Early History of the Church.
... the Church, who lived together in such love and unity ... in the character of Barnabas,
"a good man full of ... burning their books (Acts 19:19); in Lydia taking care ...
/.../the kingdom of heaven what is it/chapter vii the parables exemplified.htm

Carey's Immediate Influence in Great Britain and America
... him and his unmarried sister penniless; he loved Lydia Grenfell with a ... in genius,
as God-devoted; in the love of a ... The older man left the church of his fathers ...
/.../smith/the life of william carey/chapter xiii careys immediate influence.htm

Effectual Calling
... A certain woman named Lydia, whose heart the Lord opened.' Acts ... When God calls a
man by his grace, he finds ... the hot pursuit of sin, admire his love, exalt his ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/2 effectual calling.htm

Accusers Challenged
... Is it possible that a man thus disposed, should suddenly ... of sinners, and, as in the
case of Lydia (Acts 16 ... to understand and receive the truth, in the love of it ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xlvi accusers challenged.htm

The Son the Ruler and Saviour of All.
... to the contemplation of itself, each one who, from love of knowledge ... then, which
did not hinder a man's choice from ... [3517] [So called from Heraclea in Lydia.]. ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter ii the son the ruler.htm

The Collection for St Paul: the Farewell
... Among the contributors might be Lydia, whose means may well have been comfortable ...
and file of the mission would do all that love could do for the man who had ...
/.../moule/philippian studies/chapter xii the collection for.htm

How Marcus, Succeeded Sextus when He had Been Slain by Bassus's ...
... Gophna and Emmaus; and, besides these, Lydia and Thamna. ... And thus died Antipater,
a man that had distinguished himself for piety and justice, and love to his ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 11 how marcus succeeded.htm

Spiritual Condition of the Congregations. --The Seven Churches in ...
... symbol of the indissoluble covenant between God and man; and ten ... now Ala-Sch??r),
in the province of Lydia, a rich ... The Lord, in love, knocks at their door and ...
/.../history of the christian church volume i/section 50 spiritual condition of.htm