And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a riverside, where prayer was accustomed to be made; and we sat down, and spoke unto the women who met there.
Read Chapter 16
George Leo Haydock
AD 1849
There was prayer. The Greek word signifies either prayer itself, or an oratory, or place to pray in. (Witham)
Not every prayer is here understood, but that which was joined in the celebration of the sacred mysteries. (Estius, in different location.) See 1 Corinthians vii. and Acts vi.
"And then he carefully indicates all the rest of their journey as far as Philippi, and how they delivered their first address: "for, sitting down "he says, "we spake unto the women who had assembled; "
The place was convenient for hearing the word, aloof from troubles and dangers. (b) On the sabbath. As there was no work going on, they were more attentive to what was spoken. (a) And a certain woman, named Lydia, a seller of purple
See again Paul judaizing. "Where it was thought," it says, both from the time and from the place, "that prayer would be.--Out of the city, by a river side:" for it is not to be supposed that they prayed only where there was a synagogue; they also prayed out of synagogue, but then for this purpose they set apart, as it were, a certain place, because as Jews they were more corporeal--and, "on the sabbath-day," when it was likely that a multitude would come together. "And we sat down, and spake to the women which resorted thither." Mark again the freedom from all pride. "And a certain woman:" a woman and she of low condition, from her trade too: but mark (in her) a woman of elevated mind (philosophon). In the first place, the fact of God's calling her bears testimony to her: "And when she was baptized," it says, "she and her household"--mark how he persuaded all of them--"she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And s...
