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Selected Verse: Acts 16:14 - King James
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| Ac 16:14 |
King James |
And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
Lydia--a common name among the Greeks and Romans.
a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira--on the confines of Lydia and Phrygia. The Lydians, particularly the inhabitants of Thyatira, were celebrated for their dyeing, in which they inherited the reputation of the Tyrians. Inscriptions to this effect, yet remaining, confirm the accuracy of our historian. This woman appears to have been in good circumstances, having an establishment at Philippi large enough to accommodate the missionary party (Act 16:15), and receiving her goods from her native town.
which worshipped God--that is, was a proselyte to the Jewish faith, and as such present at this meeting.
whose heart the Lord opened--that is, the Lord Jesus (see Act 16:15; and compare Luk 24:45; Mat 11:27).
that she attended to the things . . . spoken by Paul--"showing that the inclination of the heart towards the truth originates not in the will of man. The first disposition to turn to the Gospel is a work of grace" [OLSHAUSEN]. Observe here the place assigned to "giving attention" or "heed" to the truth--that species of attention which consists in having the whole mind engrossed with it, and in apprehending and drinking it in, in its vital and saving character. |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
A seller of purple - Purple was a most valuable color, obtained usually from shellfish. It was chiefly worn by princes and by the rich, and the traffic in it might be very profitable. Compare the Isa 1:18 note; Luk 16:19 note.
The city of Thyatira - This was a city of Lydia, in Asia Minor, now called Akhisar. The art of dyeing was early cultivated in the neighborhood of Thyatira, as we learn from Homer (Iliad, iv. 141), and as is confirmed by inscriptions found in that city - a circumstance which may be referred to as confirming the veracity of the statements of Luke even in his casual allusions. Several of these inscriptions have been published. See the Life and Epistles of Paul, i. 295.
Which worshipped God - A religious woman, a proselyte. See the note at Act 13:16.
Whose heart the Lord opened - See the note at Luk 24:45. |
| Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
Lydia
An adjective: the Lydian; but as Lydia was a common name among the Greeks and Romans, it does not follow that she was named from her native country.
A seller of purple
On purple, see note on Luk 16:19.
Thyatira
The district of Lydia, and the city of Thyatira in particular, were famous for purple dyes. So Homer:
"As when some Carian or Maeonian dame
Tinges with purple the white ivory,
To form a trapping for the cheeks of steeds."
Iliad, iv., 141.
An inscription found in the ruins of Thyatira relates to the guild of dyers.
Heard (ἤκουεν)
Imperfect, was hearing while we preached. |
| Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
| A worshipper of God - Probably acquainted with the prophetic writings whose heart the Lord opened - The Greek word properly refers to the opening of the eyes: and the heart has its eyes, Eph 1:18. These are closed by nature and to open them is the peculiar work of God. |
| Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
Lydia, a seller of purple - She probably had her name from the province of Lydia, in which the city of Thyatira was situated. The Lydian women have been celebrated for their beautiful purple manufactures.
Which worshipped God - That is, she was a proselyte to the Jewish religion; as were probably all the women that resorted hither.
Whose heart the Lord opened - As she was a sincere worshipper of God, she was prepared to receive the heavenly truths spoken by Paul and his companions; and, as she was faithful to the grace she had received, so God gave her more grace, and gave her now a Divine conviction that what was spoken by Paul was true; and therefore she attended unto the things - she believed them and received them as the doctrines of God; and in this faith she was joined by her whole family, and in it they were all baptized. |
27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.
45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,
15 And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.
15 And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.
45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,
16 Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience.
19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:
18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:
18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,