On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. 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. 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. –Acts 16:13-15
Lydia was probably a wealthy woman, a dealer in goods sold only to the wealthy. Usually only royalty wore purple cloth because it was so expensive, good purple dye being difficult to make.
Perhaps she was a widow, necessitating her working outside the home, and if so, perhaps she was older than Paul and Silas.
It seems she owned a house and personally kept a household staff.
Probably she was a pleasant person, given to hospitality, and motivating her household enough that they followed her in her beliefs.
She seems intelligent and rather bold, in her conversation, inviting and persuading men to stay at her house, but if she was older and the house was well-staffed, it would not seem out of place for her to do so.
We know women like Lydia and she inspires us to work harder, with more cheer, and to reach out more
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