Lydia: name meaning 'from Lydia,' which was on the coast of Asia Minor

An influential woman

Lydia was a business woman of independent means, which was highly unusual for the times. '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). Contemporary sources suggest Lydia was either widowed or unmarried. Widows or unmarried women were generally ill thought of and had no means to provide for themselves, especially if there were no sons or brothers to provide for them. Lydia, however, was an exception. She is described in the bible as a merchant (a dealer) in purple dye and cloth. Each colour of dye was unique to one particular part of a country, this area therefore being famous for purple dye. 

Faith and business 

Lydia is described in Acts as 'a merchant of expensive purple cloth who worshipped God' (Acts 16:14). Therefore one did not exclude the other, but rather both are part of her identity. Lydia was a proselyte, someone who was devoted to God, but didn't believe in the 'Messiah,' until the 'Lord opened her heart, and she accepted what Paul was saying' (Luke 16:14, NLT). What’s also interesting about Lydia, according to Marsh, is that her faith influenced her business to the extent that her client base was much smaller. She avoided Pagan worship and many rich clients, working harder to be successful and true to her faith (Porter: 1998).

Risking her personal safety 

Lydia is also described as having a 'household.' This too is unusual as the household is hers, not her father’s or her husband’s. She is described as having ‘urged’ Paul and his companions to stay with her, until they agreed (Acts 16:15, NLT). Therefore she must have had a home large enough to accommodate them, and have been wealthy enough to provide for their needs. It is her home Paul and Silas escaped to when they were released from prison, something that would have put her safety at risk and her life in danger, just as meeting at the river, where she first met Paul could have put her safety at risk, too.

• Meeting with fellow believers:

'Not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching' (Hebrews 10:25).

• Putting the Lord first, and nothing before Him:

'You shall have no other gods before me.' (Exodus 20:3)

• Giving ourselves gladly to hospitality and service:

'Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practise hospitality' (Romans 12:13).

• By being bold, fearless Christian witnesses in our work or businesses:

'Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters... ' (Colossians 3:23).

• Doing all we can to further the work of the church, and build each other up, building communities where each person feels supported and loved (as in Hebrews 10:25 above). Giving sacrificially, whatever that means for each of us:

'For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the Lord’s people in Jerusalem.' (Romans 15:26).

Resources

-Porter, B ‘Lydia: Bought for eternity’ in S.Jones and L.Brumley (eds.) She Shall Be Called Woman (Powerful Insights From New Testament Women) Vol.2, 2nd edn. (Massachusetts: Discipleship Publications International, 1998).