The commentaries of M. John Calvin upon the Acts of the Apostles, faithfully translated…The commentaries of M. Iohn Caluin vpon the Actes of the Apostles, faithfully translated…

15 When she was baptized. Hereby it appeareth how effectually God wrought in Lydia even in a short moment. For it is not to be doubted but that she received and embraced the faith of Christ sincerely, and gave him her name, before Paul would admit her unto baptism, this was a token of mere readiness: also her holy zeal and godliness do therein show themselves, in that she doth also consecrate her family to God. And surely all the godly ought to have this desire, to have those who are under them to be partakers of the same faith. For he is unworthy to be numbered among the children of God, and to be a ruler over others, whosoever is desirous to reign and rule in his own house over his wife, children, servants, and maids, and will cause them to give no place to Christ. Therefore let every one of the faithful study to govern and order his house so, that it may be an image of the church. I grant that Lydia had not in her hand the hearts of all those which were of her household, that she might turn unto Christ whomsoever she would: but the Lord did bless her godly desire, so, that she had all her household obedient. The godly (as we have already said) must endeavour with might and main to drive from their houses all manner superstition. Secondly, that they have not profane families: but that they keep them under the fear of the Lord. So Abraham the father of the faithful, was commanded to circumcise all his servants with him: and he is commended for the care he had to govern his house, and to instruct his family. Furthermore if this duty be required at the hands of the householder, much more of a prince, that he suffer not so much as in him lieth, the name of God to be profaned in his realm.

15 When shee was baptized. Heereby it appeareth how effectually God wrought in Lydia euen in a short moment. For it is not to be doubted but that she receiued and embraced the faith of Christe sincerely, and gaue him her name, before Paul would admitte her vnto baptisme, this was a token of meere readinesse: also her holy zeale and godlines doe therin shew themselues, in that she doth also consecrate her family to God. And surely all the godly ought to haue this desire, to haue those who are vnder them to be partakers of the same faith. For he is vnworthie to be numbred among the children of God, and to be a ruler ouer others, whosoeuer is desirous to reigne and rule in his owne house ouer his wife, children, seruaunts, and maids, and will cause them to giue no place to Christ. Therefore let euery one of the faithfull studie to gouern and order his house so, that it may be an image of the church. I graunt that Lydia had not in her hand the hearts of all those which wer of her houshold, that she might turne vnto Christ whomsoeuer she woulde: but the Lord did blesse her godly desire, so, that she had all her houshold obedient. The godly (as we haue already said) must indeuour with might and main to driue from their houses all maner superstition. Secondlye, that they haue not profane families: but that they keep them vnder the feare of the Lord. So Abraham the father of the faithfull, was commanded to circumcise al his seruants with him: and he is commended for the care he had to gouern his house, and to insttuct his family. Furthermore if this dutie be required at the hands of the housholder, much more of a prince, that he suffer not so much as in him lyeth, the name of God to be profaned in his realme.