And she constrained us . What does Lydia mean? She has an honest job in the marketplace and uses that to help the spread of the Gospel. I.First, in LYDIA’S CONVERSION there are many points of interest. Lydia no longer lives in Thyatira when Paul meets her, but rather, in the city of Philippi, a city in Macedonia. Observe that it was brought about by providential circumstances. Often readers will point to verses such as the one about the braiding of hair (1 Peter 3) as an argument against doing “worldly” things for beauty, let alone a “worldly” job such as selling purple cloth. Have you ever had an experience where you knew God was calling you to do something, but it didn't come out the way you thought it would? Lydia was a woman of God; she loved to hear God's word and put it into action. And when they (the authorities in Philippi) had laid many stripes upon them (Apostle Paul and Silas), they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely . It is possible that Lydia was the host for a house church during that time. In the modern era the name has been in use since the Protestant Reformation. I have had that happen to me, and I would ask God, "Are you sure this is what I am supposed to be doing?" When you answered the call of God, you were excited and energized about the possibility of service. Scripture References— Acts 16:12-15, 40; Philippians 1:1-10. Lud), a province in the west of Asia Minor, which derived its name from the fourth son of Shem ( Genesis 10:22 ). More than 1,000 of her works have been featured in various publications ranging from Writer's Digest to Keys for Kids. For instance, let’s observe what some contemporary ancients said about women, versus what we find in the Old and New Testament. Romans often persecuted and scattered the Jews. Biblical: a Christian woman called a "seller of purple" and described as a woman of business, probably affluent. Through her life, we also see the importance of women in the Bible, a radical idea in the first century AD. Bible Meaning: Strife. Lydia was from the city of Thyatira in the Roman province of Asia which is 20 miles southeast of Pergamum, in the Hellenistic kingdom of Lydia. Lydia in the Bible was one of thousands of minor characters mentioned in Scripture, but after 2,000 years, she is still remembered for her contribution to early Christianity. Series NotesScripture quotes are taken from the King James translation.The definition of each listingis derived from a variety of sources. In the New Testament this is the name of a woman converted to Christianity by Saint Paul. Meaning of Lydia name, name definition, origin of Lydia name, popularity and history of Lydia, name meaning in the Bible/Torah/Quran? Acts 9:36–43 introduces us to Tabitha. These may appear like minor details, but we should note that even important people in the early Church maybe got a verse or two of dedication from Paul. Why mention her at all, one may ask. The name, "Lydia", meaning "the Lydian woman", by which she was known indicates that she was from Lydia in Asia Minor. In Biblical Names the meaning of the name Lydia is: A standing pool. Lydia” or even more simply “The Woman of Purple,” Lydia is given other titles: “of Thyatira,” “Purpuraria,” and “of Philippi (‘Philippisia’ in Greek).” “ [Lydia’s] name is an ethnicon, deriving from her place of origin”. Lydia later puts this wealth to good use by showing Paul and his companions hospitality and putting them up in her home. Second, we can know that not every Christian has to wind up a missionary or worship leader. Lydia listened to the gospel and the Lord saved her. We have to keep in mind that the fact the Bible named her shows a great deal of importance. . Lydia from the Bible Lydia Worshiped God. Because of the wealth she accrued (at the very least, a modest enough wealth for a larger household) she helped provide for those working a “holy” job. Article Images Copyright ©, Empowering Lessons from the Life of Lydia, 7 Easy Tips to Start Journaling Regularly, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. . 'At a time when women were considered inferior and had few rights, Lydia became a successful business woman, surprisingly able to compete in a male-dominated economic system' (Porter: 1998). Lydia is one of my favorite women of the Bible. The definition and outline of Lydia is as follows: According to the New Testament Lydia was a woman who was converted by Paul. This is an illustration of Romans 10:17 in action - Lydia hearing the gospel and faith becoming operative in her heart. Hesiod believed if a woman flirted with you, she was simply a gold digger. Hope Bolinger is an editor at Salem, literary agent at C.Y.L.E., and a graduate of Taylor University's professional writing program. Name Meaning—Lydia, who was an Asiatic, derived her name from the country on the borders of which her native city, Thyatira, was situated.It was not an original Greek name, but probably Phoenician, and a common name meaning “bending.” Lydia is a name in the Bible. Lydia Name Meaning. Scripture References— Acts 16:12-15, 40; Philippians 1:1-10. She is also the co-author of the Dear Hero duology, which was published by INtense Publications. Named Lydia — A personal name, often used, derived from the name of the province of Lydia. Lydia in the Bible was originally from Thyatira but was living in Philippi when she met Paul on his second missionary journey. The one and only female Lydia in the Bible was Paul's first European convert; a woman originally from Thyatira but living in Philippi in Macedonia , working as a trader in purple fabrics ( Acts 16:14 and 16:40 ). Spiritual Growth and Encouragement for Christian Women, 10 Sins Every Christian Must Bring into the Light, 21 Things I Do to Keep Myself 'Young' at 78, 10 Warnings in the Bible We Don’t Take Seriously Enough, A Prayer for Loved Ones Far from God - Your Daily Prayer - March 14, New Life for Us All - Easter Devotional - March 13, Dwelling Place - Daily in Your Presence - March 15, 7 Psalms to Help You Cope with Life Again, A Prayer for the Troubled Heart - Your Daily Prayer - March 13, 5 Indisputable Facts about Jesus That Will Build Your Faith, Why Christians Should Read the Book of Leviticus, 3 Ways Empathy Is an Essential Ingredient to Parenting, 6 Roots of Your Worry, and How to Overcome Them All, This site is a proud member of the Salem Web Network, a subsidiary of, Copyright © 2021, Crosswalk.com. Lydia of Thyatira is a woman introduced in the New Testament who is considered as the first recorded convert to Christianity in Europe. She meets Paul, the evangelist, who is traveling with Silas, during what is referred to as Paul's second mission journey. The Bible is silent concerning the exact location of Lydia. This lead to the conversion of her and her family. First, she sells purple cloth. She comes from Thyatira, a wealthy town known for its trade guilds and purple dye. It's possible that she lived in Philippi as a result of her work. Lydia, a seller of purple dye, was a prosperous woman from Thyatira doing business in Philippi. Aristotle believed men had far superior building blocks than that of women. Analysis, gender of Lydia, acrostic poem about Lydia other details; Lydia” or simply “The Woman of Purple.”. She has an honest job in the marketplace and uses that to help the spread of the … Whedon's Commentary on the Bible. Lydia’s life proves that one can work a “worldly” job and use it as a ministry. Contemporary sources suggest Lydia was either widowed or unmarried. Lydia. No matter the case, she probably had some frustrations from uprooting from her hometown. After all, the rich young ruler in Luke 18 doesn’t receive an explicit name reference. We’ll dive more into the importance of this later, but readers should take note that not every regular Gentile or Jew got a chance to wear this special color two millennia ago. In the Bible, Lydia is described as a “seller of purple cloth” and served as a leader in the early Christian church. Only royals and the rich could afford purple outfits. Lydia also shows us that God calls some of us into “worldly” jobs. It may be that Lydia had come to Philippi upon a journey, or that while her work was carried on at Thyat… “Do not let a flaunting woman coax and cozen and deceive you: she is after your barn” (Hesiod, Works and Days). She is regularly known as “St. Bible. . No doubt, that man was well-known in his region for his wealth. Although she wasn’t Jewish, she was a God-fearer. Ezekiel 30:3 - 5For the day is near, even the day of the LORD is near, a cloudy day; it shall be the time of the heathen. We can also analyze other women mentioned in the Bible and realize the radical message of the Gospel, and how it uses the most marginalized and forgotten people to spread its good news. In the modern era the name has been in … Lydia of Thyatira, woman and deaconess in the New Testament's Acts of the Apostles was a purple cloth dealer. His mission in Philippi was no exception. Often churches can place “holier” jobs on a pedestal. Place name: Lydia was an area of Asia known for its two rich kings, Midas and Croesus. Second, Lydia may have experienced the Diaspora, or a diaspora of sorts, if she had to travel from Thyatira to Philippi. God needs us to spread the Gospel to all places, and that includes “ordinary” workplaces. Thyatira — The purple traffic in this region was earlier than Homer, and women were the purplers. Several Christian denominations have sanctioned her as a saint. First, she shows that honest jobs are not lesser jobs. She came to be viewed as a saint by many Christian denominations. With a sound similar to mega-hits like Olivia and Amelia, she’s a treasure of a name just waiting to be discovered by parents.. Lydia might be the first person in Europe to convert to Christianity. Lydia is a very early place name, that of an area of Asia Minor whose inhabitants are credited with the invention of coinage and of having strong musical talent—as well as great wealth. While old lady chic names continue to be all the rage, Lydia is right on trend without being too popular. The name means "woman from Lydia." She became Paul's first convert in Europe when he visited Philippi during his second missionary journey. In some cases they were led ahead and in some cases they were hindered and even prevented. She was commonly identified as a dealer of purple cloth, which is the probable basis for the Catholic Church describing … Lydia Bible Story Biography, Facts and Information about Lydia It was bounded on the east by the greater Phrygia, and on the west by Ionia and the AEgean Sea. Verse 40 tells us that when Paul and Silas were let out of prison, they entered the house of Lydia; and when they had seen the brethren, they encouraged them and departed. After all, the money does not belong to us. This does not mean she played a minor role in Paul’s ministry or in the New Testament. We don’t know why Lydia made the move, whether she married a foreigner or had to leave due to Roman persecution. Either that happened to Lydia and her family, or she married someone from Philippi or decided to take her trade there for an unknown reason. She has both a practical job and a heavenly one here on earth. The New Testament mentions several women who happen to appear in Paul’s ministry, Lydia being one of them. Lydia was a region on the west coast of Asia Minor, said to be named for the legendary king LYDOS. According to Acts, Paul typically began a new mission in each new city by connecting with the local Jewish population. Actually, the Bible says, She begged us. The Bible portrays that Lydia was a woman of prayer, because she met Paul at the place of prayer and also because she was eager to learn from Paul. Means “from Lydia” in Greek. “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). And the sword shall come upon Egypt, and great pain shall be in Ethiopia, when the slain shall fall in Egypt, and they shall take away her multitude, and her foundations shall be broken down. Her modern-day Daniel trilogy released its first two installments with IlluminateYA, and the final one, Vision, releases in August of 2021. Lydia Origin and Meaning The name Lydia is a girl's name of Greek origin meaning "woman from Lydia". Still, she thrived in the new city, and because of her new placement, God allowed for her journey to coincide with Paul’s. Find out more about her at her website. All rights reserved. In this way, Lydia stands out in the New Testament narrative. Especially if God has granted us more abundance than other believers, we need to show generosity to those who do not have as much. Women served as judges (Deborah), the first eyewitnesses to Jesus’ resurrection, and even as Deacons (Phoebe). 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. Seller of purple — (See note on Luke 16:19.) But it was so unlike what you expected. Lydia is a Biblical given name: Lydia of Thyatira, businesswoman in the city of Thyatira and deaconess in the New Testament's Acts of the Apostles.She was the apostle Paul's first convert in Philippi and thus the first convert to Christianity in Europe.Lydia hosted Paul and Silas after their release from prison. After all, she sells purple dye, her whole family gets baptized, and she provides a means for Paul to have a temporary home. The fact that Lydia appears in several instances in one chapter shows she had a strong impact on Paul’s ministry, as catalogued by the historian Luke. And her inspirational adult romance Picture Imperfect releases in October of 2021. She is also mentioned to … The Bible in itself has more mentions of men than women. She was a merchant who sold purple dye and dyed goods. Although Lydia only appears in one chapter in Acts 16, we do learn a few really interesting details about her. A beautiful Biblical pick with vintage styling, Lydia has been making her presence known on the baby name scene. Lydia, a seller of purple dye, was a prosperous woman from Thyatira doing business in Philippi. And we were told that Lydia was a dealer in purple cloth. It is of Greek origin and comes from the bible where the name Lydia means -kind-, kindred spirit. We need to note a few things. Finally, the Bible doesn’t look down upon her trade. As mentioned before Lydia sells purple cloth. She had learned to appreciate the peace and joy of resting and worshipping God on the Sabbath. From Ludia. Lydia was a region on the west coast of Asia Minor. Lydia [N] [S] Ezekiel 30:5 (Heb. She has worked for various publishing companies, magazines, newspapers, and literary agencies and has edited the work of authors such as Jerry B. Jenkins and Michelle Medlock Adams. Lydia was a business woman of independent means, which was highly unusual for the times. Seldom would someone (proudly) say that a woman earns the majority, or at least half of, the income for a family. Ezekiel prophesied war against Lydia as well as against Libya, Egypt and others during the Day of the Lord (Ezekiel 30:3 - 5). Photo credit: Unsplash/the_modern_life_mrs. Strong's Concordance #H3865. Go to People in the Bible or Women in the Bible. Lydia appears in several verses in Acts 16. Learning From Lydia Acts 16:11-15 Introduction Last time we looked together and saw all the things God had put into place to direct the missionaries to Troas. 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. In this way, Lydia stands out in the New Testament narrative. She was a gentile who believed in the True God of Israel but had not fully converted to Judaism and she had not yet become a believer in Christ. Advertisement. This is how the sovereign God works in the salvation of a soul and Lydia had given her full attention to Paul’s presentation of the gospel. Her story is told in the book of Acts. We also closed last week by looking to various examples of… And they (Paul and Silas) went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed. Sadly, apart from Acts 16, we don’t see any other explicit instances where Lydia appears. Saint Lydia was born during the first century in Thyatira, a town famous in Asia Minor that was famous for its dye works (hence her name, which means purple seller). The Bible tells us that she was a worshipper of God. She became Paul's first convert in Europe when he visited Philippi during his second missionary journey. Lydia. God did not forget Lydia from the Bible; as a matter of fact, her story is included in His Word for all of us to read. Lydia’s life is significant to the Gospel in a number of ways.