Why did the group in Philippi meet by the river instead of in a synagogue?
Philippi apparently did not have a full-blown synagogue, so the Roman authorities probably allowed the group to meet by the river in a park for prayer and devotions. The gathering was a small group of women, and Paul and Silas approached them there on the Sabbath.
Les teaches that Philippi did not have a full-blown synagogue, so the Roman authorities had probably given the group permission to meet out by the river in a park along the riverside, where they could have their devotions. On the Sabbath, Paul went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was wont to be made, and sat down and spoke to the women who resorted there. Evidently there were no men, just a little group of women, and Paul and Silas approached them. A certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple from Thyatira, was among them; she was a business lady, not far from home. This setting explains the riverside meeting rather than a synagogue.