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Acts 16

Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:

Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.

Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.

And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.

And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.

Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,

After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.

And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas.

And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.

And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavored to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.

Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis;

And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days.

And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither.

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.

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.

And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:

The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.

And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.

And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers,

And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city,

And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.

And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them.

And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:

Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.

And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.

And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.

And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.

But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.

Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,

And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.

And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.

And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.

And when it was day, the magistrates sent the serjeants, saying, Let those men go.

And the keeper of the prison told this saying to Paul, The magistrates have sent to let you go: now therefore depart, and go in peace.

But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast us into prison; and now do they thrust us out privily? nay verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out.

And the serjeants told these words unto the magistrates: and they feared, when they heard that they were Romans.

And they came and besought them, and brought them out, and desired them to depart out of the city.

And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed.

What does Acts 16:15 mean?

Explanation

Acts 16:15 presents a narrative in which a woman named Lydia, after being baptized along with her household, invites the apostle Paul and his companions into her home, insisting that they stay with her if they consider her to have been faithful to the Lord.

This verse emphasizes Lydia's immediate response to her new faith expressed through the act of hospitality. The mention of her household being baptized implies that her faith had an influence on those close to her.

Furthermore, Lydia's actions highlight the early Christian practice of hospitality and the communal nature of the faith that involved supporting and hosting fellow believers.

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

The verse appears in the context of Paul's second missionary journey, which is described in Acts of the Apostles in the New Testament.

This journey took Paul through parts of Asia Minor and into Europe, including the city of Philippi, a Roman colony in Macedonia.

Lydia is identified as a seller of purple cloth, indicating her status as a successful businesswoman, which would have been somewhat unusual for a woman in the Greco-Roman world.

This context tells us about the socioeconomic diversity within the early Christian community and suggests that the Gospel was spreading across different social and cultural lines.

Theological Insights

Different theological traditions may view this verse through various lenses.

From a Covenantal perspective, the baptism of Lydia's household may signify the pattern of collective faith and God's dealings with families, as seen with Abraham's household in the Old Testament.

From a Sacramental viewpoint, particularly within Catholicism and Orthodoxy, the verse underscores the importance of baptism as a means of grace and entry into the Christian community.

Evangelical perspectives might emphasize individual faith, noting Lydia's personal conviction and act of hospitality as evidence of genuine conversion.

Practical Applications

This verse illustrates the practice of hospitality as an essential Christian virtue, encouraging believers to open their homes and lives to fellow Christians. It also serves as a model for the impact individuals can have on their immediate community, as Lydia's faith influenced her household.

Additionally, Lydia's role as a woman leading her household into faith offers a meaningful example of spiritual leadership that transcends gender roles.

The spirit of generosity and open-heartedness towards others, especially those in the faith community, remains an applicable aspect of the verse for contemporary believers.

Cross-References

Romans 12:13 - "Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality."
Hebrews 13:2 - "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares."
1 Peter 4:9 - "Use hospitality one to another without grudging."
1 Timothy 5:10 - "Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work."

Language Study

In the original Greek text of Acts 16:15, the word for "household" (οἶκος, oikos) often referred not just to immediate family, but to the wider group of people including servants and other dependents.

The verb "constrained" (παρεβιάσατο, parebiasato) suggests a strong insistence or pressure applied by Lydia.

It's crucial to understand that her invitation was not a casual suggestion but a forceful act reflecting the seriousness of her commitment to provide hospitality.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Lydia's actions in offering hospitality can be paralleled with customs from other ancient religions and cultural practices where hospitality was held in high esteem.

For example, in ancient Greek society, hospitality (xenia) was a sacred duty with deep social and religious significance, often associated with the gods.

Similar expectations of hospitality can be found in other cultures from the Middle East and the Mediterranean regions, manifesting a shared value across different societies.

Scientific Perspectives

Modern social science recognizes the powerful role of hospitality in creating and strengthening social networks and in-group solidarity, which would have been crucial in the early Christian communities.

Lydia's act of hospitality would have contributed to the survival and spread of the early Church in a tangible, material sense by providing Paul and his companions with a base of operation and a safe haven.

Commentaries

Numerous Bible commentaries offer insights into Acts 16:15:

Matthew Henry's Commentary remarks on the ongoing virtue of Christian charity as shown by Lydia.
John Gill's Exposition of the Bible notes Lydia's faith as evidenced by her good works, particularly her hospitality.
The Pulpit Commentary discusses how Lydia's baptism led to an immediate change in her conduct, one that was proving her faith through her deeds.
William Barclay highlights the wholehearted nature of Lydia's conversion, which immediately translated into action.
The ESV Study Bible notes Lydia as the first convert in Europe and the significance of her hospitality in aiding the ministry of Paul and Silas.

Acts 16

Acts 16

What does Acts 16:15 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Acts 16:15 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?