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Paul’s crew sail the Aegean Sea in two days. Later, when the wind is contrary, this same trip
traveling in the opposite direction will take five days (20:6).

Act 16:12 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.

Philippi is a famous city to the Romans for its history and location. Here Mark Anthony and
Octavius met Brutus and Cassius and defeated them. As a result of this battle, almost half of
Brutus’ army committed suicide. Philippi was then known as the city of suicide.

The word “colony” is important because Philippi is under Roman ownership. Anyone in Philippi,
regardless of nationality, is given Roman citizenship and protection, and no Roman citizen can
be beaten or crucified. “Colony” is the highest Roman honor for a city.

Philippi had been named for Philip Macedon, the father of Alexander the Great; thus the names
of Philippi and Macedonia. This city is strategically important to Rome because it guarded the
Egnatian Way, a road that connected the Adriatic to the Aegean Sea. Philippi, because of its
beauty, also became a popular retirement center for Roman military personnel. It has a large
Greek population and a small number of Jewish people.

Paul and his crew will have a long stay and a slow beginning. This shows just because events do
not happen quickly, it does not mean you are out of God’s will. They are making the most of a
slow situation. They are praying and waiting on the opening of doors within this city.
Act 16:13 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.

The river with many fountains is the Ganges, about a mile outside the city. This is the battle
sight of Mark Anthony and Brutus. Paul and his team went there to pray on the Sabbath. They
want to win the Jews first and it made no difference to them what day they prayed. They
became “all things to all men.” Paul found some Jewish women who pray each Sabbath day at
this river. The men probably had little going in the way of worship and their wives met to pray
at this river. Apparently, the women living in the Gentile countries who were following Jewish
customs were more zealous than the men (13:50).

LYDIA’S CONVERSION

Act 16:14 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.
And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple (purple-dyed robes and garments), of the
city of Thyatira, which worshiped (referenced) God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened,
that she attended (listened intently) unto the things which were spoken of Paul.