For example, Jesus ministry was sponsored by Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna, and many other Galilean women who accompanied Jesus and ministered to him out of their own, personal resources (Luke 8:2-3). Anyway, Im excited to see your well thought out, well presented exegesis, and will likely be spending much time reading your articles. The Birth of a Nation is a landmark of film history, lauded for its . She was devoted to good works and acts of charity. disgusting, hateful, revolting, disagreeable. On the practical side, Lydias experience of running a largish household and of running a business would have been useful in managing and caring for a congregation. She has both a practical job and a heavenly one here on earth. One of the women, Lyida, was from Thyatira. We have just begun a small storyline. Keywords hospitality, spiritual generosity, missio Dei, Lydia, Acts 16, Holy Spirit All rights reserved. [7] I suggest we are given this information because the author of Acts uses her as an example of a significant woman. Thank you for taking the pain to do this work and may God almighty reward you beyond your widest imagination. (Corinth was on a narrow isthmus that connected southern Greece (the Peleponessus) with . [4], Paul and his companions may have been surprised to see a group made up of only, or mainly, women at the prayer-house. Harassment, persecution, and suffering were not uncommon in the apostolic church. (LSJs entry is here.). By clicking on this Category or this Tag, under the title above, youll see many other articles about Bible Women and Brave Bible Women. She was a successful businesswoman who came to Philippi to carry on her trade. In this way, Lydia stands out in the New Testament narrative. ch. As for me, I marvel about the degree of granularity, and inspiration of your writing. Deuteronomy 29:4 Every congregation has a beginning. References to Lydia in the Bible First, Lydia most likely accrued a great deal of wealth from selling purple cloth. Lydia ran a successful business selling a luxury product: purple cloth. God can use a witness in accounting just as much as he can use a missionary in a country that has not yet heard the good news of Christ. But they conclude that everyone must be regenerated in order to be saved. 11:10-12). 8:15). The brother of radio host Rush Limbaugh, he lives in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, with his wife and children. Your email address will not be published. But I noticed something different between the two. Is it True for Christians That 'Once Saved, Always Saved'? According to Acts, Paul typically began a new mission in each new city by connecting with the local Jewish population. She and her household take the first step of obedience and get baptized (Acts 16:15) by Paul. I think theres a bit (or a lot) of sexism in all of us. She probably gave of her own resources to help support its ministries. David E. Graves, What is the Madder with Lydias Purple? Thank you for this paper Marg I enjoyed it immensely for devotions this morning. The two Greek words used in verses 13 and 14 here are simple words for "speak" in Greek. Lydia may have been a patron of the Jewish community at Philippi. "If you agree that I am a true believer in the Lord," she said, "come and stay at my home." 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). True. Us includes both Jews and Gentiles in the church at Crete. 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. Ive heard many similar stories about female pastors, and even about women in other professions, women such as doctors, lawyers, professors and accountants. Lydia also credited God with her earthly blessings and was quick to share them with Paul and his friends. Excellent work! Luke, the author of Acts, called Lydia a seller of purple goods. The book of Acts records eyewitness accounts of the early Church from Christ's resurrection until about A.D. 60. The first person to hear and respond to the Good News. It says, "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." There were a few who followed Jesus who came from the wealthy class. 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. 2 and 3:14). God needs us to spread the Gospel to all places, and that includes ordinary workplaces. Her household may have included family members, servants, and hired laborers. Even if I originally wrote an article for a journal, magazine, or book chapter, I have posted it on this website also. 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. The second woman was an unfortunate, demon-possessed slave girl exploited by her owners for their own material profit. I really like reading more about the roles of women in the Early Church. Or you dont like the scripture passage that is being talked about. 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.. After all, she sells purple dye, her whole family gets baptized, and she provides a means for Paul to have a temporary home. History was changed in dramatic fashion through this one man's obedience. There is no mention of Cornelius needing God to open his heart. Very few businesswomen are mentioned in the New Testament. 4:13). The translation of "God-worshiper . Sadly, apart from Acts 16, we dont see any other explicit instances where Lydia appears. However, there are arguments that some of these writings are post-Pauline interpolations. Large sections of it can still be seen in Philippi today. But there were exceptions. All rights reserved. They use the word to say that God must first give you faith in order for you to believe, and they call that regeneration. abominable. When Paul and Silas (and possibly Luke) first arrived in Philippi, they spent some time in the city and then went to a river bank, hoping to find a place of worship. You can support my work for as little as $3 USD a month. See Bernadette J. Brooten, Women Leaders in the Ancient Synagogue: Inscriptional Evidence and Background. Thank you, Aida. Often churches can place holier jobs on a pedestal. But, the Jews are in a spirit of slumberuntilGod has to open up their eyes. [7] Compare, for example, the lack of descriptive information about the unnamed men and women in the Macedonian cities of Thessalonica and Berea, mentioned in Acts 14:4 and 12, or even about Jason, mentioned in Acts 17:5-9. Since Lydia's husband is not mentioned but she was a householder, scholars have speculated she was a widow who brought her late husband's business to Philippi. Lydia sounds almost exactly like a Proverbs 31 woman a description of a virtuous wife (taught to King Lemuel by his *mother*). For instance, a congregation member may hold another in higher esteem if they choose to pursue missionary work as opposed to a job such as accounting. It's also possible Lydia may have returned to her home town of Thyatira and was active in the church there. In the Bible, Lydia is described as a "seller of purple cloth" and served as a leader in the early Christian church. The early church continued steadfastly in the Apostles' doctrine. See Judges 8:26, Ezekiel 27:7 & 16, Jeremiah 10:9, Esther 1:6, and Revelation 18:11-17. [3] The word proseuchoccurs in Greek literature and in Greek inscriptions where it refers to a building belonging to, or being used by, the Jews of the Diaspora (i.e. (Part 2). Paul would soon have run out of team members if he did. Many synagogues and prayer-houses were built near water sources, such as rivers, to facilitate ritual washings. It was located on a major commercial and military highway, the second most important one in the Roman Empire. Almost every article Ive ever written, about 400, is posted somewhere on this website. Scriptures to Show How Important Grandparents Are. 31:22; Est. In the Book of Revelation, Thyatira is one of the seven churches that is addressed as a center of Christianity. And a church was established in Samaria (Acts 9:31; 15:3 CEB; cf. one of many officials of ancient Rome. I love you and believe God will help and bless your ministry for the future generations to benefit from what the Lord has given you. She carried out her business in her home. The narrator may be Luke himself, or Luke using a first-person source. As Paul explained who Jesus was and why he had to die for the sin of the world, Lydia showed a humble, trusting spirit. The early Christian church there, supported by Lydia, may have influenced thousands of travelers over the years. No one else has a right to bury anyone here. (CII 741; IGR IV. I am a photographer through small accomplishments and Judith and I are aspiring to relive through writing and photography the story of Lydia and Paul. Thank you for your time and research and heart! More than 1400 of her works have been featured in various publications. Introduction to the Catholic Religion: Beliefs, Practices and History, Stephen in the Bible Was the First Christian Martyr, General Biblical Studies, Interdenominational Christian Training Center. Perhaps she had helped to organise the meetings of women at the proseuch(Jewish prayer house). Marg, you are such an encouragement to me! He calls himself "of the people of Israel.". Lydia's life proves that one can work a "worldly" job and use it as a ministry. 1. 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. The Samaritan woman gave Jesus well water, but He gave her ______ water. Divorce was easy under Roman law and it was common, and in most cases it did not result in any sense of scandal or stigma. (Though there are other ways to understand the we passages. circumcision. Second,Lydia may have experienced the Diaspora, or a diaspora of sorts, if she had to travel from Thyatira to Philippi. Lydia also shows us that God calls some of us into worldly jobs. The footnotes are informative too. I will sincerely like to know more about you and every biblical article youve ever published. I will use it as resource during a Workshop Ill be facilitating on Leadership Traits/characteristics of Lydia as a church Leader. Lately, I have been stretched in my thinking on women in leadership. Margaret Mowczko 2017 The hymn that Jesus and the disciples . These verses, all in Acts chapter 16, tell us quite a bit about her and the important part she played in the Philippian church. [22] Other women were patrons of synagogues and were prominent and influential in their Jewish communities. When Paul spoke, her heart was opened. Paul describes his own life in Philippians 3:5-6, where he lists seven things ascribed to him or achieved by him: He states that he was "circumcised on the eighth day.". Learn Religions, Sep. 8, 2021, learnreligions.com/lydia-in-the-bible-4150413. Although Lydia only appears in one chapter in Acts 16, we do learn a few really interesting details about her. The Apostle Paul first encountered Lydia at Philippi, in eastern Macedonia. She was prepared to hear what Paul had to say. Just last week my husband and I met a man and even though I was introduced as Rev. Convinced that he had to preach the gospel to the entire world, Paul visited important cities, following the commercial routes of the time. [26] Fairchild, Mary. 1:23-24). Maybe you get distracted. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/lydia-in-the-bible-4150413. 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). In this article, well dive into who she is, why she receives a special mention in the New Testament, and what we can learn from her example. Hometown Thyatira, in the Roman province of Lydia. Today, many more bishops and scholars, etc, are also acknowledging this. And, the way I see it, there are lots of terms that describe salvation. Lydias wealth is also indicated by the fact that she seems to have been the owner and mistress of her own home. I believe that grace is the gift THRU your faith, not a God given faith. Because of the wealth she accrued (at the very least, a modest enough wealth for a larger household) she helped. She was already a person open to the word of God, a worshiper of God. In today's reading from Acts (16: 9-15), Lydia invites Paul and his companions to stay at her home. God-worshippers (or God-fearers) was an idiom that referred to Gentile adherents to Judaism. And for the most part, that is true even of the apostles. (Paul writes of it 16 times in the letter) Perhaps theres a connection. Lydias hospitality and her benefaction of Paul and his ministry required courage. Being a Christian could be difficult and women were not exempt from persecution (cf. 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. We often talk about how the crowds who followed Jesus were mostly made up of the poor and outcast, the sinners and the ones left out of acceptability. One of those people was a woman named Lydia. The Samaritan Woman from Sychar (John 4) If we are going to create a community of people in our churches like the early church had, we must have the same focus and goal, the Word of God. When they had washed her, they laid her in a room upstairs. Purple dye was a symbol of power and honor in the ancient world, and it was the most expensive and sought after dye in the Roman world. Chrysostom on 5 Women Leaders in the New Testament. ***** Although composed primarily of those who were poor, the church sent supplies to Paul several times. 1452) Other inscriptions show that some Jewish women were called elders and mothers of synagogues. I am a Pastor and am so thankful for brothers and sisters like you in the body of Christ. [19] This description is an idiom that tells us Lydia was a Gentile adherent to Judaism rather than a full convert. A healthy church needs every member and the gifts they bring. 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. Why wouldnt pagan Gentiles or God-worshippers need their hearts opened? While its sometimes frustrating to feel like I have the same conversations again and again about women in church leadership, it is certainly encouraging to see change! Mary Fairchild is a full-time Christian minister, writer, and editor of two Christian anthologies, including "Stories of Calvary.". We learn in Acts 16 that, while born and reared to believe in the gods and goddesses of Thyatira, Lydia did not worship the pantheon of gods venerated in her hometown. We dont know much about Lydias husband, but we do know it was seen as a good practice for women to remain indoors and attend to household duties. I was prayed for by my spiritual father during my ordination, and he mentioned that I am Lydia the woman with the purple. Thank you. Cornelius was a Gentile. 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. 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. [23] For information on the vital role of patrons in Greco-Roman society and in the church, see the section on Phoebe here: https://margmowczko.com/wealthy-women-roman-world-and-church/, [24] Some believe Luke stayed behind to care for the new church at Philippi. Its possible to come to church and listen to a sermon and not even hear what is said. Through that occupation, she met Paul and accommodated him and his friends. As Paul and his company were speaking with these women, Lydia was listening ( Acts 16:14 ). Still, if we compare the Bible with other depictions of women in texts that came out around the same time, we have an incredibly stark contrast. I am ordained a Deacon in Full Connection in the United Methodist Church. Gentiles, as in Cornelius, there is no mention that God opened up his heart. I wish (if okay), to learn from you and your site. Used with permission of the artist. The story of Pauls meeting with Lydia near a river reminds me of the story of Jesus taking the unusual journey through Samaria and his meeting with a woman at Jacobs well in Sychar. This proviso of being born again applies to everyone. There are Categories on the side of the page, which can help you find articles on particular topics. Salvation encompasses all these things, and more: forgiveness of sin; deliverance from darkness and death; regeneration as our spirit is reborn and renewed; adoption as Gods own beloved children; justification, which effectively exchanges our sins with Jesus Christs righteousness; sanctification as the Holy Spirit sets us apart as especially belonging to God, and begins his work of making us become more and more like Jesus; and reconciliation which allows us to come near to God in a close relationship, instead of being distant and estranged. Sardis and Ephesus, like Lydias home town of Thyatira, were part of the Roman province of Asia. For more information on proseuchas a Jewish prayer-house, see https://margmowczko.com/lydia-and-the-place-of-prayer-at-philippi/. There are several things I would like to point out about Lydia. He played a crucial role in spreading the gospel to the Gentiles (non-Jews) during the first century, and his missionary journeys took him all throughout the Roman empire. And it changed her life. Her wealth allowed her to live independently in a spacious house. Lydia was intelligent, perceptive, and assertive to compete in business. We're talking monikers like the Vanderbilt's, the Astor's, the Kennedy's, and so on. Naturally, when members of these families tied the knot, major $$$ was spent and, of course, the gowns were to . Most of us have a lot of unlearning to do. One of them was a woman named Lydia. Lydia was a worshiper of God but, like Cornelius in Acts 10, had not yet heard the gospel. We are reminded of the importance of showing hospitality to others. I know, because it has happened to me, too. Lydiaa woman from Thyatira in Asia Minor, but living in Philippi (in Macedonia)becomes a sort of Mary Magdalene in Europe. Why is Lydia Important in the Bible Lydia's faith is apparent in her actions. I am preaching a lecture on Women in Acts in the fall and so appreciated this well written, well researched, and passionate look at a women in scripture who I consider so influential, yet one so easily glanced over. I havent heard that Calvinists think that regeneration comes before salvation. Have you seen this tag? [5] The story of Lydia in Acts 16:10-17 is narrated in first-person plural (we) language whereas much of Acts is narrated in third-person plural (they) language. artillery avalanche control jobs. Or a member of his household? Scripture says we all make up the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12), which means, we also have different inclinations to a variety of occupations. They inspire me to be a risk-taking leader (appropriate risks, of course.) See Richard S. Ascough, Lydia, Pauls Cosmopolitan Hostess (Pauls Social Network: Brothers and Sisters in the Faith) (Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2009), 2-3; and especially Craig S. Keener, Acts: An Exegetical Commentary, Vol. 2:2), and he alludes to the persecution the Thessalonian Christians themselves suffered because of their new faith (1 Thess. Lydia was the first convert to Christianity in Europe. Thank you, James. Romans often persecuted and scattered the Jews. Lydia- The Purple Cloth Seller. H. Zell (CC BY-SA 3.0) (Wikimedia), [16] Lydia persuades, or prevails upon, Paul to accept her hospitality. Thyatira, Lydias home town, was well-known for the production of dye from madder roots. Fairchild, Mary. Acts 16:15 mentions her conversion to the Christian faith. Lydia, Paul's first recorded European convert, was an independent businesswoman of honorable character and godly piety. Refresh your delight in the Lord through: 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]. Elsewhere Paul applies the word to himself and to others who engage in the preaching and teaching ministry of the early church (see 1 Cor 3:5; 2 Cor 3:6, 6:4, 11:23; and Phil 1:1 for other examples). [21] Macedonian women were known for having more social freedoms and influence than women in other parts of the Greco-Roman world. Because ancient Philippi had no synagogue, the few Jews in that city gathered on the bank of the Krenides River for sabbath worship where they could use the water for ritual washings. Your research sounds interesting. The inscription reads: Rufina, a Jewess synagogue ruler [archisynaggos], built this tomb for her freed slaves and the slaves raised in her household. After a time Paul received word this church had departed from its initial foundation. [16] There is no mention of a husband or a father in her story. [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. See Map of Paul's journeys at end of this page.. Finally, Lydia shows us that we also need to show hospitality. Luke 10:5-7). This meant that there were very few Jews in the city, because it only required ten men to establish a synagogue. [11] A Sardian named Julia Lydia and an Ephesian named Julia Lydia Laterane (I. Eph 424a) were of high station. Keener, Acts, (Google Books). Lydia is the only Philippian convert who is named in Acts, and we know that the Philippian church met in her home. Obviously, I dont believe that. Its good for me to know what readers are thinking and to know where they are at. I wish you well in your leaning towards egalitarianism. 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. But in Acts 16, God opened her heart. Also, whenever Luke is mentioned by name in the New Testament, he is with Paul (Col. 4:14; 2 Tim. This special event began when the place where the apostles and other disciples were gathered was suddenly filled with the sound of a . The word "helper," then, is not to be understood as an expression of submission and service to man; rather, the woman as helper serves God with man. madison 60 (CC BY-SA 3.0) (Wikimedia Commons). [15] These molluscs are predatory, intertidal snails of theBolinus (formerly Murex) genus. (Live forever.) Lydia, a successful business woman and homemaker, responded to Paul's gospel message, and her entire household became believers. After their release from prison, Scripture tells us that they returned to Lydia's and, having met with the brethren, exhorted them. When Lydia heard Pauls teaching, she was immediately attracted to it and converted to Christianity. a Jewish ritual performed when a boy is eight days old. His mission in Philippi was no exception. 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? Without financial support, sometimes large contributions, the early church and the current church could not survive and grow. 3 (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academics, 2014), 3:2350-74, (Google Books). Or youre thinking about something else. Paul was a devout follower of Jesus, whose dealings with women indicated that they could teach and lead in whatever way God led them. Most likely from the details given about Lydia, we can come to a few conclusions. Covering or Testicle in 1 Corinthians 11:15? Lydia presumably told members of her household, who followed her lead and were baptised with her. The usual word for a purple dyer was porphyrobaphos. The names of other Philippians, such as the slave girl or the jailer, are not given even though we are told some of their stories in Acts 16:16-20 and 22ff. (1) Women helped prepare the Lord's Supper. 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. The result was that she and all her household, including servants, became baptized and she invited Paul and his followers to come stay at her home while in the city. Paul's collection for the church in Jerusalem is also called diakonia (Acts 11:29; 12:25) and Paul often refers to himself as a diakonos (e.g., 1 Cor 3:5; 2 Cor 6:4).