Philippians 1:8 ESV

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 1:8

For God is my record —rather, witness (comp. Romans 1:9 )— how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ . The word σπλάγχνα , here rendered "bowels," means the heart, liver, etc.. he not the entrails. The expression is remarkable, and is well illustrated by Bengel's striking words, "Paulus non in Pauli, sed Jesu Christi movetur visceribus." "Not I, but Christ liveth in me." He is so united with Christ that he feels with the heart of Christ, he loves with the love... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Philippians 1:8

For God is my record - My witness; I can solemnly appeal to him.How greatly I long after you all - To see you; and how much I desire your welfare.In the bowels of Jesus Christ - The word “bowels,” in the Scriptures denotes the upper viscera - the region of the heart and lungs: see the notes at Isaiah 16:11. That region was regarded as the seat of affection, sympathy, and compassion, as the heart is with us. The allusion here is to the sympathy, tenderness, and love of the Redeemer; and probably... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Philippians 1:3-8

Philippians 1:3-8. I thank my God upon every remembrance Or mention, as μνεια equally signifies; of you Whether before the throne of grace, or when conversing with my fellow-Christians. The clause may also be rendered, I thank my God for all your kind remembrance of me, namely, (as he partly at least means,) with respect to the supplies they had sent him. Always in every prayer of mine He never failed, it seems, to pray for the churches when he prayed for himself; making request ... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Philippians 1:1-11

1:1-26 PAUL’S EXPERIENCES DURING IMPRISONMENTA prayer for the Philippians (1:1-11)In greeting the church, Paul mentions in particular the church leaders, as these had probably been responsible for arranging the collection of gifts sent to him (1:1-2). He is thankful not only for the present gift, but for the many gifts they have sent him, from his first visit to their city to his current imprisonment. Through their prayers and gifts they have been true partners with him in spreading the gospel... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Philippians 1:8

record = witness. Compare Romans 1:9 . greatly . . . long . Greek. epipotheo. Seo Romans 1:11 . bowels . Greek. epianchna. See 2 Corinthians 6:12 . Jesus Christ . The texts read Christ Jesus. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Philippians 1:8

For God is my witness, how I long after you all in the tender mercies of Christ Jesus.The rendition here is a vast improvement over the KJV, the verse being a remarkable witness of the Christian's unity with the Lord, and, in fact, his identity with the Lord. Many scholars have been struck with the impact of this passage. Caffin stated the implications of the verse thus: "Not I, but Christ liveth in me. Paul is so united with Christ that he feels with the heart of Christ and loves with the love... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Philippians 1:8

Philippians 1:8. God is my record, &c.— "God is my witness, that I long to see you with that peculiar tenderness of affection, which nothing but these bonds of mutual faith and love centering in him can be capable of producing; and which greatly resemble the compassion which Christ himself feels for those whom his grace hath made the members of his body." Bowels is a term which denotes the most intense, ardent, and sincere affection. Dr. Heylin renders the verse, For God is my witness, that... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Philippians 1:8

8. Confirmation of :-. record—that is, witness. in the bowels of Jesus Christ—"Christ Jesus" is the order in the oldest manuscripts. My yearning love (so the Greek implies) to you is not merely from natural affection, but from devotedness to Christ Jesus. "Not Paul, but Jesus Christ lives in Paul; wherefore Paul is not moved in the bowels (that is, the tender love, Jeremiah 31:20) of Paul, but of Jesus Christ" [BENGEL]. All real spiritual love is but a portion of Christ's love which yearns in... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Philippians 1:3-8

A. Thanksgiving 1:3-8The apostle proceeded to express his sincere gratitude to God for his friends in Philippi. He did this to assure them of God’s continuing working for them and his satisfaction with their partnership in the work of the gospel. In this section Paul introduced and summarized the main theme of Philippians, namely, partnership in the gospel. He stated it explicitly in Philippians 1:5 and developed it later in the body of the epistle (Philippians 1:27 to Philippians 4:9). read more