Acts 16 · Verse 14

Acts 16:14

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.
Acts 16:14, King James Version

Acts 16:14 in other translations

BSBAmong those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message.
WEBA certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, one who worshiped God, heard us. The Lord opened her heart to listen to the things which were spoken by Paul.
ASVAnd a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, one that worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened to give heed unto the things which were spoken by Paul.
YLTand a certain woman, by name Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, worshipping God, was hearing, whose heart the Lord did open to attend to the things spoken by Paul;
DARBYAnd a certain woman, by name Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, who worshipped God, heard; whose heart the Lord opened to attend to the things spoken by Paul.
BBEAnd a certain woman named Lydia, a trader in purple cloth of the town of Thyatira, and a God-fearing woman, gave ear to us: whose heart the Lord made open to give attention to the things which Paul was saying.
WebsterAnd a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended to the things which were spoken by Paul.

What does Acts 16:14 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Acts 16:14-15
14-15. Lydia--a common name among the Greeks and Romans. a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira--on the confines of Lydia and Phrygia. The Lydians, particularly the inhabitants of Thyatira, were celebrated for their dyeing, in which they inherited the reputation of the Tyrians. Inscriptions to this effect, yet remaining, confirm the accuracy of our historian. This woman appears to have been in good circumstances, having an establishment at Philippi large enough to accommodate the missionary party (Ac 16:15), and receiving her goods from her native town. which worshipped God--that is, was a proselyte to the Jewish faith, and as such present at this meeting. whose heart the Lord opened--that is, the Lord Jesus (see Ac 16:15; and compare Lu 24:45; Mt 11:27). that she attended to the things ... spoken by Paul--"showing that the inclination of the heart towards the truth originates not in the will of man. The first disposition to turn to the Gospel is a work of grace" [Olshausen]. Observe here the place assigned to "giving attention" or "heed" to the truth--that species of attention which consists in having the whole mind engrossed with it, and in apprehending and drinking it in, in its vital and saving character.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 14. A seller of purple. Purple was a most valuable colour, obtained usually from shell-fish. It was chiefly worn by princes, and by the rich; and the traffic in it might be very profitable.

The city of Thyatira. This was a city of Lydia, in Asia Minor, now called Ak-hisar. The art of dying was particularly cultivated, as appears from an inscription found there. (See Kuin�el.)

Which worshipped God. A religious woman; a proselyte. Acts 13:16

Whose heart the Lord opened. Lk 24:45.

(a) "the Lord opened" Lk 24:45

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 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; and, as she was faithful to the grace she had received, so God gave her more grace, and gave her now a Divine conviction that what was spoken by Paul was true; and therefore she attended unto the things - she believed them and received them as the doctrines of God; and in this faith she was joined by her whole family, and in it they were all baptized.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Acts 16:6-15

The removals of ministers, and the dispensing the means of grace by them, are in particular under Divine conduct and direction. We must follow Providence: and whatever we seek to do, if that suffer us not, we ought to submit and believe to be for the best. People greatly need help for their souls, it is their duty to look out for it, and to invite those among them who can help them. And God's calls must be complied…

Read the full comment on Acts 16:6-15 →

Acts 16:14 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ΚαίKaiAndG2532
τιςtisa certainG5100
γυνὴgunēwomanG1135
ὀνόματιonomatinamedG3686
Λυδία,LudiaLydia,G3070
πορφυρόπωλιςporphuropōlisa seller of purpleG4211
πόλεωςpoleōsof [the] cityG4172
ΘυατείρωνThuateirōnof ThyatiraG2363
σεβομένηsebomenēworshipingG4576
τὸνton<the>G3588
θεόν,theonGod,G2316
ἤκουενēkouenwas listeningG191
ἧςhēsof whomG3739
ὁhotheG3588
κύριοςkuriosLordG2962
διήνοιξενdiēnoixenopenedG1272
τὴνtēntheG3588
καρδίανkardianheartG2588
προσέχεινprosecheinto attendG4337
τοῖςtoisto the [things]G3588
λαλουμένοιςlaloumenoisbeing spokenG2980
ὑπὸhupobyG5259
τοῦtou<the>G3588
Παύλου.PaulouPaul.G3972

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Acts 16:14

  • Luke 24:45

    Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,

  • Ephesians 1:17-18

    That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

  • Isaiah 50:5

    The Lord God hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back.

  • John 6:44-45

    No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.

  • Revelation 3:20

    Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

  • 2 Corinthians 3:14-16

    But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.

  • Romans 9:16

    So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.

  • 2 Corinthians 4:4-6

    In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

  • 1 Corinthians 3:6-7

    I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.

  • Philippians 2:13

    For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

  • Acts 11:21

    And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.

  • Revelation 3:7

    And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Lydia.
40
Thyatira.
Re 1:11; 2:18-24
worshipped.
8:27; 10:2; 18:7; Joh 12:20
whose.
11:21; Ps 110:3; So 5:4; Isa 50:5; Lu 24:45; Joh 6:44,45; Ro 9:16
1Co 3:6,7; 2Co 3:14-16; 4:4-6; Eph 1:17,18; Php 2:13; Jas 1:16,17
Re 3:7,20

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Acts 16:13

    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.

  • Acts 16:14

    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.

  • Acts 16:15

    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.

Read all of Acts 16

Acts 16:14 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Entonces una mujer llamada Lidia, que vendía púrpura en la ciudad de Tiatira, temerosa de Dios, estaba oyendo; el corazón de la cual abrió el Señor para que estuviese atenta á lo que Pablo decía.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Et une femme nommée Lydie, marchande de pourpre de la ville de Thyatire, qui servait Dieu, écoutait; et le Seigneur lui ouvrit le cœur pour qu’elle soit attentive aux choses que Paul disait.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Und ein gewisses Weib, mit Namen Lydia, eine Purpurkrämerin aus der Stadt Thyatira, welche Gott anbetete, hörte zu, deren Herz der Herr auftat, daß sie achtgab auf das, was von Paulus geredet wurde.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Et quædam mulier nomine Lydia, purpuraria civitatis Thyatirenorum, colens Deum, audivit: cujus Dominus aperuit cor intendere his quæ dicebantur a Paulo.