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.
And a certain woman named Lydia - a common name among the Greeks and Romans,
A seller of purple (purple dyes or fabrics), of the city of Thyatira - on the confines of Lydia and Phrygia. The Lydians, and 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 (Acts 16:15), and receiving her goods from her native town.
Which worshipped God - a familiar expression for proselytes from among the Gentiles, the outward evidence of which was their uniting in the public worship of the Jews. As such, this woman was one of this small congregation of worshippers.
Heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, х dieenoixen (G1272)] - 'thoroughly opened.' It is the Lord Jesus who is here meant: see Acts 16:15, and compare Luke 24:45; Matthew 11:27.
That she attended, [ prosechein (G4337 ), or 'gave heed,'] unto the things which were spoken of Paul - `showing (says Olshausen) that the inclination of the heart toward the truth originates not in the will of man. The first disposition to turn to the Gospel is a 'work of grace.' Observe the place here assigned to 'giving heed' to the truth-that kind 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.