Damaris is one of a number of women mentioned in Acts chapter 17.
I covered the majority of the ladies in the Bible in my All God’s Women podcast and blog posts, but I keep discovering new women I failed to include. Damaris as one of those women. She’s found in Luke’s account of Paul’s Macedonian journey through Thessalonica, Berea, and Athens.
Paul and the Leading Women in Thessalonica
After traveling through Amphipolis and Apollonia, Paul and his companions arrived in Thessalonica. As was their custom, they went to the synagogue and taught those who were gathered there. “And some of them were persuaded; and a great multitude of the devout Greeks, and not a few of the leading women, joined Paul and Silas.” (Acts 17:4)
Who were these leading women? Some Bible scholars think they were Jewish wives of men of distinction. Others link them to the God-fearing women of high standing mentioned in Acts 13:50. They could have been women of importance on th eir own.
Regardless of who they were, Luke made a point to let us know that not only did a great multitude of Gentile men become believers, but so did a number of important women who held influence over others.
Paul and the Prominent Women in Berea
After facing opposition and attack in Thessalonica, Paul and Silas continued to Berea. As was their custom, they went to the local synagogue and engaged in discussion and lectures. The Bereans were more spiritually-minded and listened to what Paul and Silas taught and searched for themselves in the Scripture. “Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men.” (Acts 17:12)
Again, Luke wanted us to know it wasn’t just men getting saved, but women as well. These women were Greek women of prominence.
Paul and Damaris in Athens
Athens was a city of wealth and distinction, filled with scholars and philosophers who loved to engage in debate. It was also a city given over to the worship of idols. Not only did Paul speak in the synagogue but in the marketplace as well.
Epicurean and Stoic philosophers invited Paul to share his thoughts as they loved to hear about new things. Paul addressed the crowd by talking about the Unknown God, explaining who He was and what He’d done. Though some mocked him, others believed. Among the believers were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris.
Who Was Damaris?
She’s only mentioned once in Acts 17:34. Some believe her to be the wife of Dionysius, but there’s no proof of that.
And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked, while others said, “We will hear you again on this matter.” So Paul departed from among them. However, some men joined him and believed, among them Dionysius the Areopagite, a woman named Damaris, and others with them.
Acts 17:32-34
According to Herbert Lockyer, her name means “a heifer” which signifies she was a young girl.
Matthew Poole says this of her. “Damaris; who is thought to have been an honourable woman; such are mentioned Acts 17:12: or she might have been specially eminent for some grace or goodness she excelled in, and therefore hath a name upon record in the word of God.”
What Can We Learn From Damaris and the Prominent Macedonian Women?
Throughout Luke’s account of Paul’s missionary journeys, he mentioned men and women like Damaris and the prominent women who were saved. Why did it matter that they were prominent? Because once they learned of the Good News and accepted Christ, they would then go on to influence others and to share the gospel with them as well. Because they were women of prominence, other women listened to them and took note of what they did and say.
You’re a leader in your own way. Perhaps you’re a teacher or a supervisor or hold a position of authority. Or maybe you’re a mother, a grandmother, a neighbor, a friend. Whoever you are, someone is watching you. They’re listening to what you have to say. They’re influenced by your words and behavior.
Whoever we are, we are an influencer to someone. You may be influencing the masses. You may just be influencing one person. Regardless, you can be used by God to draw others to Him. Are you?
Lydia Culpper, the lead character in The Amazing Crab Alley Revival, a Southern historical retelling of Lydia in the Bible, includes multiple romantic storylines. Young Emily must choose between a man who can offer wealth and one who can offer her love. Single mother Opal gets a second chance at love with Hank, owner of the livery stables.
I’ve always been fascinated by women in the Bible, but it wasn’t until I launched my All God’s Women podcast that I discovered all the obscure Bible women like Damaris and others. I’ve put together a list of everyone woman in the Bible, complete with links to my studies, stories, and podcast episodes. Click the link below to go straight to that list.
Which lesser-known Bible woman is your favorite?
~Sharon
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