ACTS 16:14 “Jehovah opened her heart wide”

• The reference work Exegetical Dictionary of the New Testament, 1991, (Vol. 2, pp. 329-330) lists Acts 16:14 as a verse where Kyʹri·os is “used of Yahweh.”

Acts of Apostles—Paul’s Second Missionary Tour (Ac 15:36–18:22) c. 49-52 C.E.

Outside a gate of Philippi, beside a river, Paul speaks to women; Lydia and her household get baptized (Ac 16:13-15)

Luke first accompanied Paul from Troas to Philippi in about 50 C.E., but when Paul left Philippi, Luke did not leave together with him.​—Ac 16:10-17, 40; see study notes on Ac 20:5; 27:1.

16:14

From the beginning​—when Lydia showed outstanding hospitality to Paul and his companions​—the Philippians earned a reputation for generosity. (Ac 16:14, 15)

It may be the “river” where Paul preached to a group of women who had gathered for prayer, though opinions on the precise location vary.​—Ac 16:13-15.

us: Luke’s use of the first person pronoun “us” indicates that he rejoined Paul at Philippi; the two men had parted company at Philippi some time earlier. (Ac 16:10-17, 40)

Though imperfect, a Christian can cultivate goodness by obeying Jehovah’s commands and by imitating his goodness and generosity toward others. (Ac 9:36, 39; 16:14, 15; Ro 7:18; Eph 5:1)

Among other things, Paul may have had in mind the occasion when Lydia and her household got baptized and she hospitably insisted that Paul and his preaching companions stay at her house.​—Ac 16:14, 15.

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