Question
Gramps,
In Acts 16:14 it talks about Lydia being a seller of purple. I would like to know what is a “seller of purple”?
Joan
Answer
Dear Joan,
Lydia was in either in the dry goods business or the apothecary business. She either sold died cloth or the chemical for dying clothing. Purple was the color of royalty, and undoubtedly would be a prized commodity. Lydia was pretty well off. She seemed to be the householder of her place, and when she was baptized she invited Paul and his companion, Timotheus, and whoever else may have been with them to stay at her house, which invitation was accepted. So she was not just a person hawking her wares on a street corner, but undoubtedly a substantial business woman of the community.