The church has suffered through the centuries by discouraging and disqualifying half its members, many of whom have been called by the Spirit to serve. In his first letter to the Thessalonians, Paul refers to the persecution he experienced in Philippi (1 Thess. Acts 1:8; 8:1, 4-5ff). [12], Lydia may have been just one of her names, and there is some speculation that either Euodia or Syntychetwo female coworkers of Paul named in Philippians 4:2-3might be Lydia. After Paul was released from prison, he went to her house to say goodbye and to encourage the brethren there (Ac 16:15, 40). Her story is told in the book of Acts. Brown Judaic Studies, 36. The inscription reads: Rufina, a Jewess synagogue ruler [archisynaggos], built this tomb for her freed slaves and the slaves raised in her household. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Would you like to support my ministry of encouraging mutuality and equality between men and women in the church and in marriage? [10] If it is an ethnic appellation it would indicate that at one time Lydia was a slave who had been freed. See Bernadette J. Brooten, Women Leaders in the Ancient Synagogue: Inscriptional Evidence and Background. It does not seem to have been the usual practice for one of Pauls coworkers to stay with a new church when the rest continued on their journey. Verse 11 says,"We came with a straight course to Samothracia." The Word was their primary focus of getting together. We are reminded of the importance of showing hospitality to others. And many blessings on your ministry. Cynthia Westfall notes that women in the first-century Roman world, like Lydia, were entering the public sphere in business and as patrons, and they impacted the early church in those roles as well.[8]. I believe that grace is the gift THRU your faith, not a God given faith. In some parts of the Roman Empire, women could play prominent roles in their Jewish communities, especially in places where women already had some social freedoms. The unnamed jailer mentioned in Acts 16:22ff? Lydias name was not an uncommon one, and it may not provide any real insight into her status or identity. Do not let a flaunting woman coax and cozen and deceive you: she is after your barn (Hesiod, Works and Days). I look forward to seeing what you do with her story. Thank you for your time and research and heart! (1) Women helped prepare the Lord's Supper. He says he is "of the tribe of Benjamin.". Acts 8:3; 9:1ff; 22:4). During that time, she would have received (directly and indirectly) a theological and pastoral education from the apostle so that she was equipped to care for the church when Paul moved on to bring the gospel to other Macedonian cities. Paul was a devout follower of Jesus, whose dealings with women indicated that they could teach and lead in whatever way God led them. Porphyropols (masc) and porphyroplis (fem) were the usual words for a dealer in purple. In chapter 4, he also mentions Euodia and Syntyche, whom Paul tells the people to help these women who labored with me in the gospel. This is that they devoted themselves to the teaching that they received. Phoebe's ministry, then . But, Paul discusses, referencing the Hebrew scriptures, that the Gentiles will understand, whereas, the Jews wont. Lydia was the first convert to Christianity in Europe. She was originally from the city of Thyatira, in the Roman province of Asia, across the Aegean Sea from Philippi. james wilks self defense training . Whether it was Luke or not, the author of Acts seems to make a point of mentioning when members of Pauls team stayed behind at new churches (e.g., Timothy and Silas stayed behind in Berea in Acts 17:14-15; Priscilla and Aquila stayed behind in Ephesus in Acts 18:19), or when members were sent to churches as Pauls representatives (e.g., Timothy and Erastus are sent ahead to Macedonia while Paul stays longer in Asia in Acts 19:22). "On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. This proviso of being born again applies to everyone. [5] Instead, the story continues with the statement, We sat down and began to talk with the women who had gathered.[6], In Acts 16:14a, we are given several pieces of information about Lydia. The expenses involved in her occupation as a merchant of luxury textiles indicates she was a woman of some wealth. She established her business in a foreign country. Having a group of foreign men stay in her house might potentially cause scandal. [4], Paul and his companions may have been surprised to see a group made up of only, or mainly, women at the prayer-house. Junia, as one example, experienced this first-hand when she was imprisoned (Rom. The first church in Europe started at the house of Lydia. She was not afraid to take chances. Finally, the Bible doesnt look down upon her trade. It was a Sabbath Day that you mentioned. A certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, one who worshiped God, heard us; whose heart the Lord opened to listen to the things which were spoken by Paul. I appreciate that you were the very first person to subscribe to my new blog. 2:14; 3:3-4). Allen Webster. Wishing you well. And, the way I see it, there are lots of terms that describe salvation. [21] Macedonian women were known for having more social freedoms and influence than women in other parts of the Greco-Roman world. She carried out her business in her home. 28). I havent heard that Calvinists think that regeneration comes before salvation. The early Christian church there, supported by Lydia, may have influenced thousands of travelers over the years. However, the young trainee may have been with Paul and Silas, the older missionaries, all along. Paul started a church in Galatia, where the teaching of justification by faith alone was clearly proclaimed and accepted. She was a "worshiper of God," probably a proselyte, or convert to Judaism. The book of Acts records eyewitness accounts of the early Church from Christ's resurrection until about A.D. 60. I think we may have studied with similar tutors. She was probably widowed or perhaps divorced. 16:7). In the Bible, Lydia is described as a "seller of purple cloth" and served as a leader in the early Christian church. Article Images Copyright , Empowering Lessons from the Life of Lydia. If they were, the narrator gives no hint of this. Lydias life proves that one can work a worldly job and use it as a ministry. 11:10-12). During that time, she would have received (directly and indirectly) a theological and pastoral education from the apostle so that she was equipped to care for the church when Paul moved on to bring the gospel to other Macedonian cities. This special event began when the place where the apostles and other disciples were gathered was suddenly filled with the sound of a . She was immediately baptized in the river and her household along with her. Why is Lydia Important in the Bible Lydia's faith is apparent in her actions. According to v.9 God gave Paul a vision in which he saw a man of Macedonia saying to him, "Come over into Macedonia, and help us." Taking this to be God's directive, Paul and his team immediately went to the port at Troas and they found a ship all ready to sail to Macedonia. Also, whenever Luke is mentioned by name in the New Testament, he is with Paul (Col. 4:14; 2 Tim. Paul typically went to the synagogue to begin his missionary work, but there was no synagogue in Philippi. First, she sells purple cloth. Then, she is baptized into the . First, we can see what thriving in a new culture looks like. A church was established in Philippi because of Lydias open heart and her open home, and it grew because of her patronage, her initiative, her courage, her ministry. She was devoted to good works and acts of charity. Acts 2:18; 1 Cor. [4] Several first-century literary sources make it quite clear that many Diaspora Jewish communities actually preferred having their synagogues outside the city and near a body of water such as the proseuch at Philippi in Macedonia. Lee I. Levine, The Ancient Synagogue: The First Thousand Years, Second Edition (New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2014), 316. God-worshippers (or God-fearers) was an idiom that referred to Gentile adherents to Judaism. Paul and his team had already spent a few days in the city (probably organising accommodation and work), when, on the Sabbath day, they went outside the city gates in search of a Jewish place of prayer by a river. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. Like you, I also believe that we are saved through faith and grace. Purple symbolised royalty and prestige. Angie, he still looked at my husband, shook his hand and then made a comment to me, Oh are you involved in the church with the pastor, indicating my husband. Anyone includes Jews and Gentiles. Paul and Silas established their gospel mission headquarters in Lydia's house and no doubt preached there regularly. This was a unique achievement for a woman during the male-dominated Roman empire. Luke 10:5-7). We need to note a few things. abominable. [13] For a brief discussion on the likelihood of Lydia being another name of either Euodia or Syntyche, see Davorlin Peterlin, Pauls Letter to the Philippians in the Light of Disunity in the Church (Leiden: Brill, 1995), 128-130. The usual word for a purple dyer was porphyrobaphos. Women were not seen as equal to men in the society of the New Testament. Hosting meetings where they worshipped a new Jewish messiah, and not an emperor or any of the ancient and socially respectable pagan gods, could have ruined her reputation and her business. More importantly, though, she believed in Jesus Christ as Savior, was baptized and had her entire household baptized too. Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. 1 John 5:1 As you mention for Lydia, Proverbs 31 makes no mention of this virtuous wife checking with her husband before doing anything. Through that occupation, she met Paul and accommodated him and his friends. The meaning of the name Lydia in Hebrew means a standing pool. These women played a pioneering role in the spreading of the gospel. There, Paul found a group of women and began to share the story of the Lord, Jesus Christ. [20] In the first decades of the churchs existence, almost all Christian converts were either Jews or they were Gentiles with some kind of affiliation or sympathy with Judaism. Lydia, Paul's first recorded European convert, was an independent businesswoman of honorable character and godly piety. Weve been discussing Lydia, but also Cornelius. Refresh your delight in the Lord through: The Birth of a Nation, originally called The Clansman, is a 1915 American silent epic drama film directed by D. W. Griffith and starring Lillian Gish.The screenplay is adapted from Thomas Dixon Jr.'s 1905 novel and play The Clansman.Griffith co-wrote the screenplay with Frank E. Woods and produced the film with Harry Aitken.. I dont identify as a Calvinist, but I believe the new birth or regeneration (renewal) that Jesus made possible is essential for salvation. This may be an indication that whoever recorded her story was with Paul in Philippi, was an eyewitness, and met Lydia personally. Lydia also shows us that God calls some of us into worldly jobs. [2] It is not known if the rule found in the Babylonian Talmud, Megillah 23bthat a synagogue needed to have a quorum of at least ten adult male members, known as aminyanwas universally observed in the mid-first century CE. battle of omdurman order of battle. This is a well written, scholarly article. St Paul was travelling around ancient Asia Minor, teaching about Jesus and converting Jews and Gentiles. "If you agree that I am a true believer in the Lord," she said, "come and stay at my home." I am new to your site but wish to exclaim I love to hear about Lydia and the Church of Philippi, her generosity to Paul and the lord Jesus Christ. But no one of Pauls team is mentioned as staying behind in Philippi at the end of Acts 16. I had been discussing regeneration with reform people, mainly Calvinists, ex-Calvinists, and Im not, but I have concluded in my studies that the word regeneration only applies to the Jews. The church in Samaria began with Philip's preaching the word ( Acts 8 ). She and her household take the first step of obedience and get baptized (Acts 16:15) by Paul. This is a trustworthy saying. Titus 3:4ff It seems that Philippi did not have a recognised synagogueperhaps they did not have enough Jewish men to form a quorum necessary for a synagogue[2]but they did have a proseuch, a prayer-house. Although the information on her is sketchy, Bible scholars have concluded she was an exceptional person in the ancient world. Through her life, we also see the importance of women in the Bible, a radical idea in the first century AD. Yesterday, someone expressed doubt that a Jewish person would wear purple or sell purple because shellfish are unclean. Harassment, persecution, and suffering were not uncommon in the apostolic church. Porphyroplis (porphyro + plis = purple + seller) only occurs once in the NT, in Acts 16:14, but it occurs in other ancient Greek documents (e.g., inscriptions and papyri). Very few businesswomen are mentioned in the New Testament. She was generous and hospitable, opening her home to traveling ministers and missionaries. I always love reading about women in the Bible who sometimes defied the odds to be in leadership. God rerouted Paul and friends and also ensured that Lydia would be in the right place at the right time to encounter Paul and hear the good news of Jesus. Second, after she and her entire family accepts Jesus Christ and are baptized, they invite Paul and Silas (a ministry companion of Pauls) into their home. "The Lord opened her heart to listen eagerly to what was said by Paul," (Acts 16:14b). Almost every article Ive ever written, about 400, is posted somewhere on this website. Or you just dont care about the topic. All Rights Reserved. [8] Cynthia Westfall, Paul and Gender: Reclaiming the Apostles Vision for Men and Women in Christ (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2016), 268. The church at Corinth began with Paul at the end of the second missionary journey ( Acts . madison 60 (CC BY-SA 3.0) (Wikimedia Commons). But its also possible to come and get a lot out of the sermon because you listen eagerly, expecting to hear something that is meaningful or new or challenging. The seat of Solomons chariot was purple (Songs 3:10-11). When they had washed her, they laid her in a room upstairs. A healthy church needs every member and the gifts they bring. Phoebe (the name means "bright" or "radiant": Apollo and Diana, the god and goddess of the sun and moon respectively, were often referred to as "Phoebos" and "Phoebe"), was a Diakonos of the Church at Chenchreae, the eastern seaport of the city of Corinth. But in Acts 16, God opened her heart. Beers explains the connection between women and meals: "Because women were almost always in charge of the food in their extended family groups, organizing and hosting this meal for the assembly would have provided natural opportunities for women to . It is likely she became both a patron and a leader of the church in Philippi.[23]. "Geographical movement from city to city, from region to region, and from province to province was a principal element of missionary work in the first century.". (The same verb occurs in Luke 24:29 in a similar context.). The home is where we establish families and nurture children. Anyway, Im excited to see your well thought out, well presented exegesis, and will likely be spending much time reading your articles. Paul was on his second missionary journey when he had a vision of a man who pleaded with him, "Come over to Macedonia and help us!" The apostle responded to the vision by gathering his team and quickly setting off across the Aegean Sea for Macedonia, the northern region of modern-day Greece. Especially if God has granted us more abundance than other believers, we need to show generosity to those who do not have as much. And, when reading Deuteronomy 29:4, which is referenced in Romans 9-11, you see that the Jews are in a spirit of slumber (they do worship God), but there is a remnant that isnt. Your email address will not be published. A comprehensive review of the birth of the the Christian Church and its spread through the known world through the tireless work of the disciples, in particular Paul inspired by The Holy Spirit. We can learn a lot from Lydia. Have you seen this tag? The brother of radio host Rush Limbaugh, he lives in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, with his wife and children. Prints of this portrait can be purchasedhere. Now here is a place that generations of women know intimately. Because of the wealth she accrued (at the very least, a modest enough wealth for a larger household) she helped. After Jesus is crucified, his body is buried, a stone is rolled in front of the tomb, and a Roman guard is placed there. She has both a practical job and a heavenly one here on earth. Thank you. Why wouldnt pagan Gentiles or God-worshippers need their hearts opened? We know for sure that Cornelius was a Gentile. She and her entire household were baptized, as was the custom in those days. 4:13). When Lydia heard Pauls teaching, she was immediately attracted to it and converted to Christianity. This site is a proud member of the Salem Web Network, a subsidiary of, Copyright 2023, Crosswalk.com. Most likely from the details given about Lydia, we can come to a few conclusions. However, even though dying (and also tanning) often involved the use of unclean materials, that didnt stop the Israelites and Jewish people using dyed (and also leather) products including purple (Hebrew: argaman; Greek: porphyra). Paul had made the decision to go west to Europe, and he arrived there in about the year 50, accompanied by Silas, Timothy, and Luke. William Tarn,Hellenistic Civilisation, ThirdEdition (New York, NY: World, 1952), 98. The word "helper" ( 'ezer ), when used of a person in the Old Testament, always refers to God (in 29 places) apart from one reference to David. It was large enough to accommodate Paul and his fellow missionaries (who included Silas, probably Timothy, and perhaps Luke and others) as well as her own household. [17] Her home was also large enough to hold church meetings. (lol) Thats just my preference and God bless you and your family. She was also a religious seeker. One of the trade guilds in Thyatira made expensive purple dye, probably from the roots of the madder plant. These verses, all in Acts chapter 16, tell us quite a bit about her and the important part she played in the Philippian church. But there were exceptions. The message clicked and Lydia realized she needed the power of Jesus that they spoke about. Furthermore, if we rely on the evidence of the first to the third person narrative, and assume Luke is present during the we passages in Acts 16, it seems he did not stay around in Philippi when Paul and Silas were imprisoned. Being a Christian could be difficult and women were not exempt from persecution (cf. He calls himself "of the people of Israel.". Marg, you are such an encouragement to me! Lydia appears inseveral verses in Acts 16. stephen scherr family; nigel jones philadelphia. [11] A Sardian named Julia Lydia and an Ephesian named Julia Lydia Laterane (I. Eph 424a) were of high station. Keener, Acts, (Google Books). Photo credit: Unsplash/the_modern_life_mrs. This is the story of Lydia in the Bible. 2 and 3:14). And a purple cloth was used to cover the ashes of burnt offerings in the Tabernacle (Num. And they ministered in an empowering way. So, she is the most likely person to have led and cared for the first congregation at Philippi.[24]. When she and her household had been baptized, she prevailed upon the men to . Ya, I dont think she was a Gentile at all, as your article suggests, however, your article certainly confirmed much of what I was thinking, tho. Your words have brightened my day! Her household may have included family members, servants, and hired laborers. Most of us have a lot of unlearning to do. Many thanks for your blog, Marg. Dorcas. https://margmowczko.com/lydia-and-the-place-of-prayer-at-philippi/, https://margmowczko.com/wealthy-women-roman-world-and-church/, Lydia and the Place of Prayer in Philippi, Jesus, Women, and Theology: Jesus said to her , Wealthy Women in the Roman World and in the Church, Chrysostom on 5 Women Leaders in the New Testament, Adolf von Harnack, biblical scholar and historian, https://margmowczko.com/tag/women-in-acts/, Covering or Testicle in 1 Cor. "Since the goal of . Luke, the author of Acts, called Lydia a seller of purple goods. Before leaving Philippi, Paul visited Lydia once more. Paul wrote some of the most beautiful and important passages in the whole of the Bible, but his works have also been used, among other things, to justify homophobia, slavery and anti-Semitism. Acts 16:19-22). So I went in to check on the internet and I came across this. Very good insight. Third, Lydia was a courageous woman. It was only the wealthy elite who wore garments dyed purple or trimmed with purple, or had soft furnishings in their homes, such as couch covers, that were purple. (Paul writes of it 16 times in the letter) Perhaps theres a connection. 12:4ff). My sister, I just want you to know how much you blessed me with this article. It is well documented that some Gentiles were attracted to the monotheism and the morality of Judaism. [17] Lydias house is most likely a domus. As mentioned before Lydia sells purple cloth. She opened her home to Paul and his fellow travelers. Naturally, when members of these families tied the knot, major $$$ was spent and, of course, the gowns were to . We can be grateful for the successful businessmen and women like Lydia who have supported the church over the centuries. The statement that God had to open her heart was the clue for me regarding regeneration. disgusting, hateful, revolting, disagreeable. It was in Lydias home that the church at Philippi first gathered (cf. We have to keep in mind that the fact the Bible named her shows a great deal of importance. [19] This description is an idiom that tells us Lydia was a Gentile adherent to Judaism rather than a full convert. After all, she sells purple dye, her whole family gets baptized, and she provides a means for Paul to have a temporary home. Yes, we are all new creatures ONCE we believe. Obviously, I dont believe that. They say that faith is a gift from God, and not a work of man, that God must first regenerate you before you can even believe. They first traveled to the Roman colony of Philippi, one of the most important cities in Macedonia. Salvation is by faith in Jesus Christ through grace and cannot be earned by human works. (Part 2). [15] These molluscs are predatory, intertidal snails of theBolinus (formerly Murex) genus. The parable of the Good Samaritan presents the Samaritan in a favourable light, but we must be mindful that Jesus chose the figure of the Samaritan for a provocative effect in his story (Luke 10:25ff). When Paul met the couple in Corinth, they were already believers; and . I guess you could say that I am a complementarian now leaning toward egalitarianism. And, as Lydia heard the gospel, God opened her heart so that she received the life-giving message. You can support my work for as little as $3 USD a month. 26; 27:16; 36:8, 35-37). Jews who lived outside of Judea and Galilee). However, I never want to hold a theological position simply because it is held by the camp that I come from. And for the most part, that is true even of the apostles. The Bible in itself has more mentions of men than women. (2021, September 8). When Paul and Silas were thrown into a Philippian prison, Lydia visited them and attended to their needs. one of many officials of ancient Rome. The women were equipped and empowered with faith, knowledge, and personal experience to tell others. If she were well off, she may have given him money or supplies for his further journey on the Egnatian Way, an important Roman highway. Here are four things about worship in the early church we can glean from what God reavealed in Scripture. In those days when a wife lost her husband there was hardly anything she could do to support herself. And they did come across a group of women there, including some Gentiles known as worshipers of God, people who were attracted to the Jewish faith and who attended services but were not yet converts. Lydia had a home large enough to accommodate not only Paul and his companions, but the gatherings of the new church established in Philippi. She comes from Thyatira, a wealthy town known for itstrade guilds and purple dye. Lydia later puts this wealth to good use by showing Paul and his companions hospitality and putting them up in her home. Its only mentioned twice. Your research is much appreciated. The Apostle Paul was one of the most influential leaders of the early Christian church. H. Zell (CC BY-SA 3.0) (Wikimedia), [16] Lydia persuades, or prevails upon, Paul to accept her hospitality. 11:15? We can assume she also told business contacts, clients, and neighbours. Like Jesus told Peter, flesh and blood has not revealed this unto you, but my Father in heaven. This is the work of a genius. Often churches can place holier jobs on a pedestal. [25] I wonder if Jesus and Paul were sent on their journeys because God saw the hearts (and heard the possible prayers) of these women who were ready to put their trust in Jesus as Messiah. Her example of stewardship shows we cannot pay God back for our salvation, but we do have an obligation to support the church and its missionary efforts. The home is the place of hospitality and fellowship. It was neither common nor rare for a woman, usually a widowed or divorced woman, to have control of her own wealth and be a homeowner in New Testament times. See Map of Paul's journeys at end of this page.. Her example of stewardship shows we cannot pay God back for our salvation, but we do have an obligation to support the church and its missionary efforts. Freedwomen in the East also frequently sold luxury items such as purple dye. Keener, Acts, (Google Books). In the New Testament, Tabitha is the only woman to be called a disciple. Every congregation has a beginning. I know, because it has happened to me, too. Chrysostom on 5 Women Leaders in the New Testament. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul's message. [25] I come from a complementarian background. Sadly, apart from Acts 16, we dont see any other explicit instances where Lydia appears. Because of the wealth she accrued (at the very least, a modest enough wealth for a larger household) she helped provide for those working a holy job. Second, we can know that not every Christian has to wind up a missionary or worship leader. how does lydia help paul and the early church. Lydia does sound like the Proverbs 31 woman. Food Menu; Cart; Checkout; Return to website; how does lydia help paul and the early church Lydia lived and worked in Philippi, dealing in textiles colored with the purple dye for which the region was famous. Thank you, James. Paul would soon have run out of team members if he did. The girl was most likely demented, epileptic, or emotionally unstable. The hymn that Jesus and the disciples . [1] Contents God is the one who has to clear the scales off of their eyes. They cared for local congregations and were vital and strategic players at the forefront of the expanding Christian mission. (LSJs entry is here.). Lydia was a businesswoman, "a dealer of purple cloth" from Thyatira. Margaret Mowczko 2017 Seldom would someone (proudly) say that a woman earns the majority, or at least half of, the income for a family. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. In the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus, the rich man, who is presumably Jewish, is described as being dressed in purple and fine linen (Luke 16:19). Your research sounds interesting. Only members of the royalty and other wealthy people could afford this cloth, because the dye was so expensive to make, and so it was a prosperous trade. Again, the Jews are worshipers of God, too. Covering or Testicle in 1 Corinthians 11:15? [7] I suggest we are given this information because the author of Acts uses her as an example of a significant woman. Lydia Paul's Send-Off. For the first principle of the movement whereby that which comes into being is male, is better and more divine than the material whereby it is female (Aristotle). What does submission in everything mean. There were a few who followed Jesus who came from the wealthy class. The Birth of a Nation is a landmark of film history, lauded for its . No doubt, that man was well-known in his region for his wealth. I did a Bachelor of Christian Studies at Robert Menzies College Sydney. No one else has a right to bury anyone here. (CII 741; IGR IV. Jesus and Paul did not hesitate to minister to people of both sexes, from all stations of life. Pauls first ministry encounter in Philippi was not with a Macedonian man,[1] however, but with a group of women. Luke says "the Lord opened Lydia's heart to believe." This is similar to Luke 24:45; Jesus opens the hearts of his disciples so that they could understand the scripture. I really like reading more about the roles of women in the Early Church. They inspire me to be a risk-taking leader (appropriate risks, of course.)

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