Lydia of Thyatira

LID-ee-uh · Also called Lydia

A businesswoman from Thyatira dealing in expensive purple-dyed cloth, whose conversion at Philippi is the first recorded in Europe, and who hosted Paul and his companions in her home.

Life and work

Paul met Lydia at a place of prayer by a river outside Philippi, where a group of women had gathered on the Sabbath. She was 'a worshiper of God' already, and as Paul spoke, 'the Lord opened her heart to pay attention' to his message — making her, as far as the text records, the first convert in what is now Europe. She and her entire household were baptized on the spot (Acts 16:13-15).

As a dealer in purple cloth — a luxury good associated with wealth and status in the Roman world — Lydia likely had real financial means, which she put to use immediately: she urged Paul and his companions to stay at her house, and it became a base for the fledgling Philippian church, including after Paul and Silas were released from prison (Acts 16:15, 40).

Occupation: Seller of purple cloth (a luxury textile dealer).
Places: Originally from Thyatira; living in Philippi at the time of the events in Acts.

Extra-biblical evidence

No extra-biblical record of Lydia survives outside the book of Acts.

Scripture references

Acts 16:13-15 — Converts and is baptized with her household
Acts 16:40 — Hosts Paul and Silas after their release from prison

Reflect

Lydia listened, believed, and immediately opened her home — how quickly does what you believe become what you do?

More people

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