Acts 16:14 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Lydia, a seller of purple from Thyatira who already worshipped God, listens as the Lord opens her heart to receive what Paul is saying.
What Does Acts 16:14 Mean?
Lydia is a merchant of purple goods, the costly dye of royalty, living far from her home city of Thyatira in Asia. A Gentile drawn to the God of Israel, she is at the riverside to pray. As Paul speaks, the Lord opens her heart, and she gives the message her whole attention.
Paul speaks, the Lord opens, Lydia attends: the word faithfully spoken, the heart divinely unlocked, the hearer leaning in. So the first named convert of Europe is won. There is a quiet wonder here as well: preaching had been forbidden in Asia for a season, yet the first to believe is a woman of Asia. God knows how to find his own.
Acts 16:14 in the Original Language
dianoigo (διανοίγω), 'opened' -- to open fully, the same verb used when the risen Lord opened the scriptures and the disciples' eyes in Luke 24.
Frequently Asked Questions About Acts 16:14
What does Acts 16:14 mean?
Lydia, a seller of purple from Thyatira who already worshipped God, listens as the Lord opens her heart to receive what Paul is saying.