The Book of Acts ~ Study Fifty-Four

"Purple Hospitality"


Acts 16:11-15 (NLT) We boarded a boat at Troas and sailed straight across to the island of Samothrace, and the next day we landed at Neapolis. From there we reached Philippi, a major city of that district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. And we stayed there several days.
   On the Sabbath we went a little way outside the city to a riverbank, where we thought people would be meeting for prayer, and we sat down to speak with some women who had gathered there. One of them was Lydia from Thyatira, a merchant of expensive purple cloth, who worshiped God. As she listened to us, the Lord opened her heart, and she accepted what Paul was saying. She was baptized along with other members of her household, and she asked us to be her guests. “If you agree that I am a true believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my home.” And she urged us until we agreed.

The Gangites River near Philippi

Paul and his group of fellow missionaries continue on to an island Samothrace, a mountainous island navigational marker with its 5,577-foot Mount Fengari. About halfway on their voyage they anchor for the night on the north side of the island. They complete their 156-mile journey the next day, landing at Neapolis. It is assumed that Luke is traveling with them, because in verse 11 he says, "From Troas, we put our to sea..." It is interesting that we get a firsthand account of this particular time in Paul's journeys.

When they get to Philippi, after a long trek, they decide to find the local synagogue as was their custom. When they didn't find a synagogue they went down to the Gangites River to set up worship. There they found a group of women worshiping God. In those days, you had to have at least ten men to set up a synagogue. So to find a group of God-fearing women worshiping down by the river alone meant that there wasn't a strong God-influence in Philippi.

Murex Mollusks

As Paul preached a woman named Lydia, was listening intently. The Bible tells us that she was a dealer of purple cloth. An ounce of good purple dye would cost many times more than a pound of gold. The Phoenicians had long ago given up their secret of how to make "Tryian Purple", but that didn't lower the cost: it still took more than ten thousand Murex mollusks to make one raw wool toga into a purple "toga picta". Someone had to know where the right varieties of Murex were found and had to dredge the spiny shellfish from the sea, and then they had beat and break them with iron bars -- also dangerous work in the days before safety goggles. Then, after the slimy mess sat in the sun for several hours to let the color mature, someone had to wade into the now stinking mess to sop up the ooze and then dry it out. (Wikipedia)

The color purple is a color worn by the elite or the royal. It is a symbol of wealth and power. So, we can assume that Lydia was a wealthy woman and had many people working for and living within her household. This lady of influence was influenced by Paul's words about Jesus. She was herself a "worshiper of God" and she recognized the Truth and responded with her heart. Not only was she baptized, her whole household believed and was baptized.

How do you influence those around you? Are you aware of your actions and how they may determine someone else's life? Who influences you? Are you listening to those who are godly people in your life or are you listening to what the world says?

1 Corinthians 11:1 (NIVRV) Follow my example, just as I follow the example of Christ.

Jesus is to be our example. He is the Only One who is perfect and who loves perfectly. Our lives should be a reflection of that. Paul was this for Lydia and Lydia in turn influenced those in her household. I'm sure her influence for Christ didn't stop there. Being a successful business woman and her influence in the world of trade, I'm sure she brought many more to a saving knowledge of Jesus.

I want to mention the hospitality Lydia showed to Paul and his men. She wouldn't take no for an answer when she asked them to come to her home. We all should show hospitality in our homes. But even more so, we should reflect the grace of God to others. 

The following verses help us see why we should show grace, mercy and hospitality as believers in Jesus.

Romans 12:14 (NLT) When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.

1 Peter 4:9 (NLT) Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay.

Hebrews 13:1-3 (NLT) Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters. Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it! Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies.

Lydia showed the grace and hospitality that we should all show. She was so grateful for Paul's preaching the Good News and wanted to show these men how much it meant to her. Her home offered a place a rest and nourishment phyiscally for these men, just as Lydia and her household were refreshed and nourished spiritually.

Our lives' purpose on this earth is to bring praise and honor to God through how we act toward others and how we live our daily lives. Our words and actions influence our world and we should be influencing people for the cause of Christ. Lydia is a great example to follow. In turn we should learn to accept hospitality graciously like Paul. You never know what blessing you receive by accepting or giving hospitality. And, you'll never know how many people you will influence for Jesus.