King James Version

What Does Acts 16:14 Mean?

Acts 16:14 in the King James Version says “And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose hear...” — study this verse from Acts chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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.”

Acts 16:14 · KJV

Context

12

And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days. the chief: or, the first

13

And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither. sabbath: Gr. sabbath day

14

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.

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.

16

And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: of divination: or, of Python

Read Acts 16 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Lydia's conversion demonstrates divine initiative: 'whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.' God's opening hearts precedes and enables gospel response. This prosperous businesswoman became Christianity's first European convert and immediately offered hospitality, showing faith's practical expression.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

A seller of purple goods from Thyatira (Asia Minor) living in Philippi, Lydia was a 'God-fearer' (Gentile who worshiped Israel's God) when Paul met her at riverside prayer (AD 50). Her home became the Philippian church's meeting place.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does God 'opening hearts' teach about the relationship between divine sovereignty and human response?
  2. How did Lydia's immediate hospitality demonstrate genuine conversion versus mere intellectual assent?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 24 words
καί1 of 24

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τις2 of 24

“a certain”

G5100

some or any person or object

γυνὴ3 of 24

“woman”

G1135

a woman; specially, a wife

ὀνόματι4 of 24

“named”

G3686

a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character)

Λυδία5 of 24

“Lydia”

G3070

lydia, a christian woman

πορφυρόπωλις6 of 24

“a seller of purple”

G4211

a female trader in purple cloth

πόλεως7 of 24

“of the city”

G4172

a town (properly, with walls, of greater or less size)

Θυατείρων8 of 24

“of Thyatira”

G2363

thyatira, a place in asia minor

σεβομένη9 of 24

“which worshipped”

G4576

to revere, i.e., adore

τὸν10 of 24
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεόν11 of 24

“God”

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

ἤκουεν12 of 24

“heard”

G191

to hear (in various senses)

ἧς13 of 24

“us whose”

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

ὁ14 of 24
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κύριος15 of 24

“the Lord”

G2962

supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)

διήνοιξεν16 of 24

“opened”

G1272

to open thoroughly, literally (as a first-born) or figuratively (to expound)

τὴν17 of 24
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

καρδίαν18 of 24

“heart”

G2588

the heart, i.e., (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle

προσέχειν19 of 24

“that she attended”

G4337

(figuratively) to hold the mind (3563 implied) towards, i.e., pay attention to, be cautious about, apply oneself to, adhere to

τοῖς20 of 24
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

λαλουμένοις21 of 24

“unto the things which were spoken”

G2980

to talk, i.e., utter words

ὑπὸ22 of 24

“of”

G5259

under, i.e., (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (

τοῦ23 of 24
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Παύλου24 of 24

“Paul”

G3972

(little; but remotely from a derivative of g3973, meaning the same); paulus, the name of a roman and of an apostle

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Acts. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Acts 16:14 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Acts 16:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Luke 24:45Ephesians 1:17-18Isaiah 50:5John 6:44-45Revelation 3:202 Corinthians 3:14-16

Places in This Verse

ThyatiraSettlement · Modern: Akhisar · 38.92°N, 27.84°E4 verses across 2 books
View all places in Acts 16 →

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