Lydia
Europe's First Christians
Lydia was a dealer in purple cloth from Thyatira who lived in Philippi. She was a God-fearing woman who already worshipped the God of Israel. When Paul came to Philippi, she was among the women gathering by the river, and the Lord opened her heart. She became the first documented Christian in Europe and offered hospitality to the missionaries.
Événements clés
By the River in Philippi
Lydia met Paul at the place of prayer outside the city where women gathered.
13On the Sabbath day we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and spoke to the women who had gathered there.
τῇ τε ἡμέρᾳ τῶν σαββάτων ἐξήλθομεν ἔξω τῆς ⸀πύλης παρὰ ποταμὸν οὗ ⸂ἐνομίζομεν προσευχὴν⸃ εἶναι, καὶ καθίσαντες ἐλαλοῦμεν ταῖς συνελθούσαις γυναιξίν.
14One of those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what Paul was saying.
καί τις γυνὴ ὀνόματι Λυδία, πορφυρόπωλις πόλεως Θυατείρων σεβομένη τὸν θεόν, ἤκουεν, ἧς ὁ κύριος διήνοιξεν τὴν καρδίαν προσέχειν τοῖς λαλουμένοις ὑπὸ ⸀τοῦ Παύλου.
The Lord Opened Her Heart
The Lord opened Lydia's heart so that she paid attention to what Paul said.
14One of those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what Paul was saying.
καί τις γυνὴ ὀνόματι Λυδία, πορφυρόπωλις πόλεως Θυατείρων σεβομένη τὸν θεόν, ἤκουεν, ἧς ὁ κύριος διήνοιξεν τὴν καρδίαν προσέχειν τοῖς λαλουμένοις ὑπὸ ⸀τοῦ Παύλου.
Baptism and Hospitality
Lydia and her entire household were baptized, and she insisted that the missionaries stay at her home.
15When she and her household had been baptized, she urged us, "If you consider me a believer in the Lord, come and stay at my house." And she prevailed on us.
ὡς δὲ ἐβαπτίσθη καὶ ὁ οἶκος αὐτῆς, παρεκάλεσεν λέγουσα· Εἰ κεκρίκατέ με πιστὴν τῷ κυρίῳ εἶναι, εἰσελθόντες εἰς τὸν οἶκόν μου ⸀μένετε· καὶ παρεβιάσατο ἡμᾶς.
40After leaving the prison, Paul and Silas went to Lydia's house, where they saw the brothers and sisters and encouraged them. Then they departed.
ἐξελθόντες δὲ ⸀ἀπὸ τῆς φυλακῆς εἰσῆλθον πρὸς τὴν Λυδίαν, καὶ ἰδόντες ⸂παρεκάλεσαν τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς⸃ καὶ ἐξῆλθαν.