Matthew Henry Commentary Acts 16:6-15

"And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden of the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia; and when they were come over against Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia; and the Spirit of Jesus suffered them not; and passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: There was a man of Macedonia standing, beseeching him, and saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. And when he had seen the vision, straightway we sought to go forth into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. Setting sail therefore from Troas, we made a straight course to Samothrace, and the day following to Neapolis; and from thence to Philippi, which is a city of Macedonia, the first of the district, a [Roman] colony: and we were in this city tarrying certain days. And on the sabbath day we went forth without the gate by a river side, where we supposed there was a place of prayer; and we sat down, and spake unto the women that were come together. And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple of the city of Thyatira, one that worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened to give heed unto the things which were spoken by Paul. And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide [there]. And she constrained us." — Acts 16:6-15 (ASV)

The removals of ministers, and the dispensing the means of grace by them, are in particular under Divine conduct and direction. We must follow Providence: and whatever we seek to do, if Providence does not permit us, we ought to submit and believe it to be for the best. People greatly need help for their souls; it is their duty to seek it and to invite those among them who can help them. And God's calls must be complied with readily.

A solemn assembly the worshippers of God must have, if possible, on the Sabbath day. If we do not have synagogues, we must be thankful for more private places and resort to them; not forsaking the assembling together, as we have opportunity. Among the hearers of Paul was a woman named Lydia. She had an honest calling, which the historian notes to her praise.

Yet even though she had an occupation to attend to, she found time to improve opportunities for her soul. It will not excuse us from religious duties to say, 'We have a trade to attend to'; for do we not also have a God to serve and souls to look after? Religion does not call us from our business in the world but directs us in it. Pride, prejudice, and sin shut out the truths of God until His grace makes a way for them into the understanding and affections; and the Lord alone can open the heart to receive and believe His word.

We must believe in Jesus Christ; there is no coming to God as a Father, except through the Son as Mediator.