Acts 16:6 - Meaning and Application

In these verses we see Paul’s travels as he worked to do good. He and Silas, his fellow worker, went through Phrygia and the region of Galatia. It seems the gospel was already planted there, though we are not told whether Paul himself first brought it. His letter to the Galatians suggests that he had preached among them early on, and that they had warmly welcomed him (Galatians 4:13-15).

That same letter also shows that false teachers, often called Judaizers because they tried to bind Christians to Jewish law, had later done great harm in those churches. They had turned the Galatians against Paul and led them away from the gospel of Christ, and Paul strongly rebuked them for it. But that trouble seems to have come much later than this journey.

At this time, they were kept from preaching in Asia, meaning the province in Asia Minor, not the continent. This may have been because other workers were already there, or because the people were not ready yet, as they were later when everyone in Asia heard the word of the Lord (Acts 19:10). Dr. Lightfoot also suggests that Christ was then directing Paul to a new task, preaching in Philippi, a Roman colony. So far, Paul had mostly preached to Greeks, and this move would take the gospel further west.

It was the Holy Spirit who kept them from going there, either by a clear inward direction or through prophets speaking by the Spirit. The movements of ministers, and the spreading of the means of grace through them, are under God’s special guidance. In the Old Testament, one prophet was forbidden to preach at all, "You shall be silent" (Ezekiel 3:26). Here, New Testament ministers are not told to stop altogether, only to go where there is greater need.

They wanted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not allow it (Acts 16:7). So they came to Mysia, and it seems they preached there as they went. It was a low and despised region, yet the apostles did not think it beneath them to visit it. They knew they were debtors to both the wise and the foolish (Romans 1:14). Bithynia later had flourishing churches, and Peter’s letter was sent there (1 Peter 1:1), so though the gospel did not come to them now, it came in its time.

Though Paul and Silas likely wanted to go to Bithynia, they had special ways then of learning God’s will, and they yielded to it, even against their own plans. We must do the same and follow providence, like Israel following the pillar of cloud and fire. If God keeps us from what we try to do, we should accept it and trust that it is for the best. Some old copies read, "the Spirit of Jesus" kept them from going, showing that the servants of Christ must always be guided by his Spirit.

They passed by Mysia, or through it, sowing good seed as they went, and came down to Troas, the city connected with ancient Troy. A church was later found there (Acts 20:6-7), and it may have been planted at this time. It also seems that Luke joined Paul here, because from this point on he often says "we" when telling Paul’s story (Acts 16:10).

Now we come to Paul’s special call to Macedonia, especially to Philippi, the main city there, which was mostly filled with Romans (Acts 16:21). Paul had many visions. Some encouraged him, while others, like this one, guided him in his work. An angel appeared to him to show that it was Christ’s will for him to go to Macedonia. He should not be discouraged by the repeated stops on his earlier plans, because even when he could not go where he wanted, he could still go where God had work for him.

Paul saw a man of Macedonia, either because the man’s dress or speech showed where he was from, or because he said so. Some think the angel took that man’s form. Others think Paul saw the image in a dream or in the mind, as he slept or was half awake. In any case, Christ was guiding Paul in a way that would later become common, by stirring the hearts of people who needed help to call for it. Paul was not sent by a heavenly messenger directly to Macedonia, but was invited there by a messenger from Macedonia.

This man was not a ruler, and not a priest. Paul was not used to taking his directions from such people. He was shown an ordinary man, a sincere and serious person, who did not come to mock him, but to beg for help in earnest. The request was simple and urgent: "Come over into Macedonia and help us" (Acts 16:9). That meant, "Come preach the gospel to us, and let us share in the blessing of your work."

The appeal was grounded in what others had already received. "You have helped many," the man seems to say. "We have heard how useful you have been in other places, so why should we not ask for that same help? Come and help us." The good that others have received through the gospel should stir us to seek it for ourselves.

It was as if they were saying, “It is your work and your joy to help needy souls. You are like a doctor for the sick, and you should be ready whenever a patient calls. Come and help us.” They also meant, “We need your help as much as any people in the world. We in Macedonia are as unaware of religion, as careless about it, as idolatrous, and as sinful as anyone. We are just as skilled at ruining ourselves, so come quickly to us. If you can do anything, have pity on us and help us.”

They were saying, “A few among us have some sense of spiritual things and care about our own souls and the souls of others. We have done all we can with the help of natural light, that is, the understanding people have without special revelation from God. I have done my part for one person. We have gone as far as we can in urging our neighbors to fear and worship God, but we can do little good among them. Come over and help us. The gospel you preach has stronger reasons and power than anything we have had so far.” They were also saying, “Do not only help us with your prayers from here, that will not be enough. You must come over and help us.” People greatly need help for their souls, and it is their duty to look for it and invite those who can help them.

Paul and his companions understood from this vision that the Lord had called them to preach the gospel there (Acts 16:10). They were ready to go wherever God led them. We may sometimes learn God’s call from a human call. If a man from Macedonia says, “Come and help us,” Paul can rightly understand that God is saying, “Go and help them.” Ministers can work with great courage and joy when they see that Christ is calling them, not only to preach the gospel, but to preach it at this time, in this place, and to these people.

Paul then traveled to Macedonia. He was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, but followed this divine direction with more gladness and peace than he would have followed any plan of his own. As soon as he knew God’s will, he turned his thoughts there. He no longer thought about Asia or Bithynia, but immediately they tried to go into Macedonia. Paul alone had the vision, but he told his companions, and they all, trusting what he said, decided on Macedonia. As Paul followed Christ, so all who were with him followed too, or rather they followed Christ with him.

They prepared at once, without delay. God’s calls should be obeyed right away. Our obedience should not be argued about, and it should not be put off. Do it today, before your heart grows hard. Notice that they could not reach Macedonia immediately, but they immediately tried to go. If we cannot act as quickly as we would like, we can at least be quick in our efforts, and that will be accepted.

They set sail as soon as they could, with the first favorable wind from Troas. They could be sure they had finished their work there when God called them somewhere else. They made a straight and successful voyage to Samothracia, then the next day to Neapolis, a city on the border of Thrace and Macedonia, and finally they landed at Philippi, a city named after Philip, king of Macedon and father of Alexander the Great. Philippi was the chief city of that part of Macedonia, or, as some read it, the first city they reached after leaving Troas. Like an army that begins taking a country by capturing the first place it reaches, Paul and his helpers began with the first city. If the gospel was received there, it could more easily spread through the whole region.

Philippi was also a Roman colony, which means the Romans had settled people there, and at least the magistrates and ruling class were Romans. There were many kinds of people there, which gave them a better chance to do good.

Still, Paul and his companions met with a cold welcome at Philippi. One would have expected that, since they had such a clear call from God, they would have been warmly received there, as Peter was when he went to Cornelius. Where was the man from Macedonia who begged Paul to come quickly? Why did he not stir up his countrymen to meet him? Why was Paul not welcomed with honor and given the city keys? Nothing like that happened. They stayed in the city some days, probably at an inn and at their own expense, for no one invited them even to a meal until Lydia welcomed them. They had hurried there as fast as they could, but once they arrived, they might have felt they should have stayed where they were.

This was part of their testing, to see whether they could bear quietness and being left alone when that was their lot. Strong and useful people are not fit for this world if they cannot stand being ignored. Ministers should not be surprised if they are urgently invited to a place and then are treated coldly when they arrive.

When they finally had a chance to preach, it was in a hidden place and to a small, humble group (Acts 16:13). There was no synagogue of the Jews there, so far as we know, to serve as a starting point, and they did not go to the pagan temples to preach there. Instead, after asking around, they found a small gathering of godly women, Gentile believers who worshiped the true God and would be glad to hear them. This meeting place was outside the city. It was allowed there, but would not have been tolerated inside the walls.

It was a place where prayer was customarily made, or, as some say, an oratory or house of prayer, a smaller chapel or synagogue. I take it to mean a place where prayer was regularly offered. Those who worshiped the true God and refused to worship idols met there to pray together, following the oldest and most common form of devotion, calling on the name of the Lord. Each one also prayed privately each day, as people who worship God always have done. But besides that, they came together on the Sabbath day.

Though they were only a few and were looked down on by the town, though they met some distance away, and though, as far as we know, they were only women, they still made sure to hold a solemn gathering for God’s worship on the Sabbath, if at all possible.

When we cannot do all we want to do, we must do what we can. If there are no synagogues, we should be thankful for more private places and use them, as far as our opportunities allow, without neglecting to meet together. This place was by a river, perhaps chosen because it was quiet and fitting for reflection. Idol worshipers are said to choose smooth stones from the stream for their lot (Isaiah 57:6), but these proselytes, Gentiles who had turned toward Judaism, may have been thinking of the prophets who received visions by rivers, one by the river Chebar (Ezekiel 1:1) and another by the great river Hiddekel (Daniel 10:4).

Paul, Silas, and Luke went there and sat down to teach the people, so they could also pray with them. They spoke to the women who gathered there, encouraging them to live up to the light they already had and leading them toward the knowledge of Christ. Then comes the conversion of Lydia, who was probably the first person there brought to believe in Christ, though not the last.

In Acts, we do not only read about whole places being changed, but also about many individual people. That matters, because a single soul turning to God is a great thing. And not all conversions came by miracle, like Paul’s, but some came through the ordinary work of grace, as Lydia’s did here. We should notice carefully who this woman was.

First, we are given her name, Lydia. It is an honor to her that her name is written in God’s book, so that wherever Scripture is read, she is remembered. The names of God’s people are precious to Him, and they should be precious to us too. We may not have our names written in the Bible, but if God opens our hearts, we will find our names written in the book of life, and that is far better (Philippians 4:3; Luke 10:20).

Second, we are told her work. She was a seller of purple, meaning either purple dye, purple cloth, or silk. This is noted to her credit, because she had an honest trade. She was also in a humble line of work, not a woman who wore purple, which is rare and costly. People in honest callings should not be ashamed of them if they manage them faithfully. Lydia had work to do, but she was also a worshiper of God, and she found time for her soul.

Our ordinary work can fit well with religion. It does not excuse us from worship in private, in our families, or in public gatherings to say, “We have shops and business to attend to.” We also have God to serve and a soul to care for. Religion does not call us away from our daily work, it teaches us how to do it rightly. Everything has its time and place.

Third, we are told where she came from, Thyatira. That city was a long way from Philippi, where she was then living. She had been born and raised there, but perhaps she moved because of marriage, or because her business brought her there. God’s providence often sets the boundaries of our lives, and sometimes changes our place or condition in ways that serve His saving purpose. In Lydia’s case, providence brought her to Philippi under Paul’s ministry, and when she met that opportunity, she made good use of it. We should do the same with the opportunities God gives us.

Fourth, we are told what her religion was before the Lord opened her heart. She worshiped God according to the light she had, and she was among the devout women. Sometimes God’s grace reaches people who were very wicked before conversion, such as publicans and harlots, as Paul says, “such were some of you” (1 Corinthians 6:11). At other times, it reaches those who already have a good character, like the eunuch, Cornelius, and Lydia.

It is not enough to be a worshiper of God. We must also believe in Jesus Christ, because no one comes to God as a Father except through Christ as Mediator, the one who brings us to God. Still, those who worship God faithfully according to what they know are well placed to welcome Christ when He is revealed to them. To the one who has, more will be given. People who truly worship God begin to see their need for Christ and understand how to use His mediation.

Lydia also listened to the apostles. Where prayer was being offered, the word was preached too, when there was a chance to do it. Hearing God’s word is part of worship. How can we expect God to hear our prayers if we will not listen to His word? Those who worship God according to the light they have should look for more light. We must make the most of small beginnings, but we must not settle for them.

The great work done in Lydia was that “the Lord opened her heart.” The Lord Jesus, who has this judgment given to Him, and the Spirit of the Lord, who makes people holy, were the agents in this work. Conversion is God’s work. He works in us both to will and to do. That does not mean we have no part to play, but it does mean that without God’s grace we can do nothing. Nor does it make God responsible for the ruin of those who perish. The salvation of those who are saved must be credited entirely to Him.

This change was made in her heart. Conversion is heart work. It means the heart is renewed, along with the inner person and the mind. Her heart was not just touched, it was opened. An unconverted soul is shut up and locked against Christ, as Jericho was shut against Joshua (Joshua 6:1). Christ stands at the door of the heart and knocks when He deals with the soul (Revelation 3:20). When a sinner is truly persuaded to receive Christ, the heart is opened so the King of glory may come in. The mind opens to receive God’s light, the will opens to receive God’s law, and the affections open to receive God’s love. When the heart is opened to Christ, the ear opens to His word, the lips open in prayer, the hand opens in charity, and the steps are widened for all kinds of gospel obedience.

One effect of this work was that she paid close attention to God’s word. Her heart was so opened that she attended to what Paul said. She did more than sit under his preaching, she gave it her full attention. Some understand this to mean that she applied Paul’s words to herself. That is when the word truly does us good and leaves a lasting mark, when we take it to heart and apply it to ourselves.

This was clear proof that her heart had been opened, and it was the fruit of God’s grace. Wherever God opens a heart, it will show itself in careful attention to God’s word, both for Christ’s sake, since it is his word, and for our own sake, because we depend so much on it.

She also gave herself openly to Jesus Christ and took on the profession of his holy religion. She was baptized, and by that solemn act she was received into the church of Christ. Her household was baptized with her, including those who were infants in her care, and those who were grown enough to come under her influence and authority. She and her household were baptized by the same rule that Abraham and his household were circumcised, because the sign of the covenant belongs to the covenant people and to their children.

She was also very kind to the ministers, and eager to be taught more about the things that belong to God’s kingdom. She urged them, saying, in effect, “If you think I am faithful to the Lord, if you believe I am a sincere Christian, show that confidence by coming into my house and staying there.” In this way she wanted to show gratitude to those who had been used to bring this blessed change into her life.

When her heart was opened to Christ, her house was opened to his ministers for his sake. She welcomed them with the best hospitality she could give, and she did not think that too much for those from whom she had received so much spiritual good. She even pressed them strongly to stay. This suggests that Paul was hesitant to go, because he did not want to burden the families of new believers. He wanted to preach the gospel without charging them (1 Corinthians 9:18; Acts 20:34), so outsiders would have no reason to accuse the preachers of being greedy, and believers would have no reason to complain about the cost of religion.

But Lydia would not take no for an answer. She would not believe they thought her a true believer unless they accepted her invitation. She was like Abraham, who invited the angels, saying, “If I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant” (Genesis 18:3). She also wanted the chance to receive more instruction. If they stayed in her house for a while, she could hear them every day, not just on the Sabbath when the church met (Proverbs 8:34). In her own home, she could hear them, ask them questions, pray with them daily, and have them bless her household. Those who know something of Christ cannot help wanting to know more, and they look for chances to grow in their understanding of his gospel.