Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Acts 16:15. It’s a really important moment in the story of the early church! Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Story: This verse describes a woman who was experiencing a really serious problem – she was being judged by God as faithful to Him. She had been facing intense pressure and perhaps even punishment for something that wasn’t her fault. What happened next? When she was baptized (meaning she started following Jesus), her household immediately pleaded with her to stay with them. They asked her, "If you think we've judged you to be faithful, please come live with us!" Then, she put a limit on it: She then said, “If you have judged me to be faithful, then come into our house and abide with us.” She was essentially saying, "Please, if you believe I’m good enough, stay here with us." What's the big takeaway? This is a powerful expression of her faith. She wasn’t just willing to follow Jesus; she was demanding that we – the believers – stay with her. It shows her deep conviction and a desire for a place of comfort and belonging within the community. Why is this important? It highlights several things: Her Strength: She wasn't just passively accepting God’s judgment; she was actively seeking to be in a safe, supportive environment. The Importance of Community: The verse shows that the early church valued being together and offering comfort to those who were struggling with their faith or facing difficult situations. In short, this verse tells us that when someone demonstrates faithfulness, they often want to be surrounded by people who support them. --- Do you have any other questions about this verse? Would you like me to: Explain a specific part of the story in more detail? Connect it to a broader theme in the Bible (like forgiveness or perseverance)?