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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 16:6-15

In these verses we have, I. Paul's travels up and down to do good. 1. He and Silas his colleague went throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, where, it should seem, the gospel was already planted, but whether by Paul's hand or no is not mentioned; it is likely it was, for in his epistle to the Galatians he speaks of his preaching the gospel to them at the first, and how very acceptable he was among them, Gal. 4:13-15. And it appears by that epistle that the judaizing teachers had then... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 16:11-15

16:11-15 When we had set sail from Troas we had a straight run to Samothrace. On the next day we reached Neapolis and from there we came to Philippi which is the chief city of that section of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We spent some days in this city. On the Sabbath day we went outside the gates along the riverside where we believed there was a place of prayer. We sat down and were talking with the women who met together there. A woman whose name was Lydia, who was a purple seller from the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 16:14

And a certain woman, named Lydia ,.... Whether this woman was a Jewess or a Gentile, is not certain, her name will not determine; she might be called so from the country of Lydia, which was in Asia minor, and where was Thyatira, her native place; Horace makes frequent mention of one of this name F7 Carm. l. 1. ode 8, 13, 25. & l. 3. ode 9. and it might be a Jewish name; we read of R. Simeon ben Lydia F8 Juchasin, fol. 105. 1. ; and as these seem to be Jewish women that met at... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 16:14

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;... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 16:14

Verse 14− 14.A woman named Lydia. If they had been heard of a few women, yet this had been to enter in, as it were, by a strait chink; but now whereas one only heareth attentively and with fruit, might it not have seemed that the way was stopt before Christ? − (184) But afterward there sprung a noble Church of that one small graft, which Paul setteth out with many excellent commendations; yet it may be that Lydia had some companions, whereof there is no mention made, because she did far excel... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 16:6-15

The call. The great difference between sacred and profane history is not so much that the events are different, or the human motives of the actors are different, or even that God's providence works differently, but that the secret springs of the will of God, directing, controlling, and overruling, are in sacred history laid bare to view by that Holy Spirit of God who knows the things of God. In ordinary life the servant of God believes that his steps are ordered of God, and that the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 16:9-15

The journey to -Macedonia: the happy beginning. The transplantation of the gospel into Europe was a great epoch. We see the seed-corn of the kingdom germinating and growing from small beginnings. I. THE PROVIDENTIAL INDICATIONS . It came, as on many occasions to prophets and men called and sent of God, in a vision of the night. The Macedonian appears and cries, "Cross into Macedonia, and come to our aid!" From the 'Confessions' of St. Patrick, the evangelist of Ireland, a dream... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 16:11-15

The opened heart; or, the power of Divine gentleness. Promptly obedient to the heavenly vision, Paul and Silas went "with a straight course to Samothracia," and by Neapolis to Philippi. There, eagerly awaiting a sacred opportunity, they "abode certain days." They availed themselves of the weekly gathering "at the river-side," where women, who everywhere are the most devout, were wont to meet for prayer. The whole narrative suggests the by-truths: 1. That we should instantly carry out... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 16:11-15

(or Acts 16:14 ) The opened heart. "And a certain woman named Lydia," etc. Study of personal history specially helpful. A few broad strokes make up the picture. Fill in the outline from human nature and experience. Describe the circumstances. Philippi a local metropolis. In the midst of perishing heathenism a germ of spiritual life. Country market-place outside the gate. Devout women, Jewesses and proselytes. The Old Testament read there. Prayer offered. Without Christ they could not... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 16:14

One that for which, A.V.; to give heed for that she attended, A.V.; by for of, A.V. A certain woman , etc. Whether her personal name was Lydia, or whether she was commonly so called on account of her native country and her trade, must remain uncertain. Thyatira was in Lydia. Lydian women, from the time of Homer downwards, were famous for their purple dyes; and it appears from an inscription found in Thyatira, that there was there a guild of dyers, called οἱ βαφεῖς (Lewin,... read more

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