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.

And {G1161} when {G5613} she was baptized {G907}, and {G2532} her {G846} household {G3624}, she besought {G3870} us, saying {G3004}, If {G1487} ye have judged {G2919} me {G3165} to be {G1511} faithful {G4103} to the Lord {G2962}, come {G1525} into {G1519} my {G3450} house {G3624}, and abide {G3306} there. And {G2532} she constrained {G3849} us {G2248}.

After she and the members of her household had been immersed, she gave us this invitation: “If you consider me to be faithful to the Lord, come and stay in my house.” And she insisted till we went.

And when she and her household had been baptized, she urged us, “If you consider me a believer in the Lord, come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.

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.

Commentary

Acts 16:15 records a pivotal moment in the early spread of Christianity in Europe, highlighting the immediate and practical demonstration of faith by Lydia, a prominent woman in Philippi. After hearing the apostle Paul's message, her heart was opened, leading to her conversion and the baptism of her entire household.

Context

This verse follows the account of Lydia's conversion in Acts 16:14. Paul and his companions (including Silas, Timothy, and Luke) had arrived in Philippi, a leading city of Macedonia, following the Macedonian call vision. They encountered Lydia, a prosperous "seller of purple" from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshipper of God. Her conversion marks the beginning of the church in Philippi, which would become a significant center for early Christianity and a recipient of one of Paul's epistles (Philippians).

Key Themes

  • Immediate Obedience and Faith: Lydia's response to the Gospel was not just intellectual assent but immediate action. Her baptism, along with her household, demonstrates a profound and unhesitating commitment to her newfound faith in Jesus Christ.
  • Household Conversion and Baptism: The mention of her "household" being baptized with her suggests that her entire family unit or those living under her authority (including servants or dependents) also embraced the Christian faith. This reflects a pattern seen elsewhere in Acts, emphasizing the familial impact of conversion.
  • Biblical Hospitality: Lydia's earnest invitation to Paul and his companions ("come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us") is a powerful display of Christian hospitality. Her insistence, conveyed by "constrained us" (Greek: synebiasen, meaning 'she compelled' or 'she urged strongly'), indicates a genuine desire to serve and support those who brought her the Good News. This act of hospitality was not merely polite but a deep expression of her newfound faithfulness to the Lord.
  • Evidence of True Faith: For Lydia, faith was not passive. Her immediate baptism and fervent hospitality served as tangible evidence of her transformation and her faithfulness to Christ. It was a practical demonstration of her conviction, showing that she truly had "judged [herself] to be faithful to the Lord."

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrases "she besought us" and "she constrained us" convey Lydia's earnestness. The Greek word for "besought" is parekalesen (from parakaleo), which means to 'exhort,' 'urge,' or 'comfort.' The word for "constrained" is synebiasen, which implies a strong, almost forceful urging – not in a negative sense, but indicating her profound sincerity and determination to host them. This highlights her conviction and the powerful impact of the Gospel on her life.

Practical Application

Lydia's example in Acts 16:15 offers several lessons for believers today:

  • Respond to God's Call with Action: Like Lydia, when we hear God's word, our faith should lead to immediate and tangible responses, whether in baptism, repentance, or service.
  • Embrace Christian Hospitality: Her open home reminds us of the importance of showing hospitality to strangers and fellow believers (Hebrews 13:2). It's a way to demonstrate love and support for God's work.
  • Let Faith Be Evident: Lydia's actions clearly showed her faithfulness. Our lives should similarly reflect the transformation that comes from knowing Christ, leading to acts of service and generosity that glorify God.
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Cross-References

  • Acts 11:14 (10 votes)

    Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.

  • Hebrews 13:2 (9 votes)

    Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

  • Acts 16:33 (8 votes)

    And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed [their] stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.

  • Luke 24:29 (6 votes)

    But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them.

  • Genesis 19:3 (6 votes)

    And he pressed upon them greatly; and they turned in unto him, and entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat.

  • 1 Peter 5:12 (5 votes)

    By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand.

  • 3 John 1:8 (5 votes)

    We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.