LYDIA. - The name, or surname, of a woman converted by s. Paolo during the third apostolic mission, Filippi (v.), near the Gangite, where the Jews’ place of prayer was situated; she subsequently received the Apostle with Luca and Sila (“we”); Act. 16, 14 ff.).
L. was a dealer in purple, that is, in wool and fabrics dyed purple; she came from the city of Thyatira in the Asian region of Lidia. She “feared God,” that is, she worshipped the true God of the Jews. Having “heard” Paolo’s Gospel proclamation, she inwardly embraced it, because “the Lord had opened her heart to understand the truths spoken by Paolo.” Baptized with her household, L. thus invited Paolo and his collaborators: “Since you have judged me faithful to the Lord, come and stay in my house.” And she gently compelled us.
Paolo also went to L.’s house after his release from prison (Act. 16, 40). From these passages and from Phil. 4, 3, there does not follow what E. Renan thinks, namely that Paolo married L.