And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.
And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, х paretheeken (G3908) trapezan (G5132)] - literally, 'prepared (or 'set out') a table; a familiar classical expression, used also in Hebrew, Psalms 23:5.
And rejoiced, believing - literally, 'exulted, having believed;' that is, was full of joy in the consciousness of his new state as a believer.
Believing in God - as a converted pagan; for (as Alford correctly notes) the faith of a Jew would not be so expressed.
With all his house - the wondrous change on himself and the whole house filling his soul with joy. It is a good remark of Baumgarten that 'this is the second house which in the Roman city of Philippi was consecrated by faith in Jesus, and of which the inmates, by hospitable entertainment of the Gospel witnesses, were sanctified to a new beginning of domestic life, pleasing and acceptable to God. The first result came to pass in consequence simply of the preaching of the Gospel; the second was the fruit of a testimony sealed and ennobled by suffering.
Next morning the magistrates order their release-Paul and Silas, standing upon their violated rights as Roman citizens, decline to be thus dismissed, and oblige the affrighted magistrates to come personally to conduct them forth out of the prison, and solicit their departure from the city-They then comply, go to Lydia's house, and having seen and comforted the brethren, depart (16:35-40)