Act 16:14 | NETfull | STEP | A woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, a God-fearing woman, listened to us. The Lord opened her heart to respond to what Paul was saying.

Acts 16:14

14 A ^{▼▼ Grk “And a.” Because of the difference between Greek style, which often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” and English style, which generally does not, καί (kai) has not been translated here.} woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth ^{▼▼ On the term translated “a dealer in purple cloth” see BDAG 855 s.v. πορφυρόπωλις.} from the city of Thyatira, ^{▼▼ Thyatira was a city in the province of Lydia in Asia Minor.} a God-fearing woman, listened to us. ^{▼▼ The words “to us” are not in the Greek text, but are implied. Direct objects in Greek were often omitted when clear from the context, but must be supplied for the modern English reader.} The Lord opened her heart to respond ^{▼▼ Although BDAG 880 s.v. προσέχω 2.b gives the meaning “pay attention to” here, this could be misunderstood by the modern English reader to mean merely listening intently. The following context, however, indicates that Lydia responded positively to Paul’s message, so the verb here was translated “to respond.”} ^{▼▼ Lydia is one of several significant women in Acts (see 17:4, 12, 34; 18:20).} to what Paul was saying.