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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Philippians 1:8 God is my witness how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/philippians/1-8.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/50_Php_01_08.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Philippians 1:8 - Thanksgiving and Prayer" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="God is my witness how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus." /><script type="application/javascript" 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cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad8.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/philippians/1-7.htm" title="Philippians 1:7">◄</a> Philippians 1:8 <a href="/philippians/1-9.htm" title="Philippians 1:9">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/philippians/1.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/philippians/1.htm">New International Version</a> God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. <a href="/nlt/philippians/1.htm">New Living Translation</a> God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus. <a href="/esv/philippians/1.htm">English Standard Version</a> For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. <a href="/bsb/philippians/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> God is my witness how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. <a href="/blb/philippians/1.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> For God is my witness how I long after you all in the affection of Christ Jesus. <a href="/kjv/philippians/1.htm">King James Bible</a> For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ. <a href="/nkjv/philippians/1.htm">New King James Version</a> For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ. <a href="/nasb_/philippians/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. <a href="/nasb/philippians/1.htm">NASB 1995</a> For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. <a href="/nasb77/philippians/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a> For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. <a href="/lsb/philippians/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. <a href="/amp/philippians/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a> For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus [whose great love fills me]. <a href="/csb/philippians/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> For God is my witness, how deeply I miss all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. <a href="/hcsb/philippians/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> For God is my witness, how deeply I miss all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. <a href="/asv/philippians/1.htm">American Standard Version</a> For God is my witness, how I long after you all in the tender mercies of Christ Jesus. <a href="/cev/philippians/1.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> God himself knows how much I want to see you. He knows I care for you in the same way Christ Jesus does. <a href="/erv/philippians/1.htm">English Revised Version</a> For God is my witness, how I long after you all in the tender mercies of Christ Jesus. <a href="/gwt/philippians/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> God is my witness that, with all the compassion of Christ Jesus, I long [to see] every one of you. <a href="/gnt/philippians/1.htm">Good News Translation</a> God is my witness that I tell the truth when I say that my deep feeling for you all comes from the heart of Christ Jesus himself. <a href="/isv/philippians/1.htm">International Standard Version</a> For God is my witness how much I long for all of you with the compassion that the Messiah Jesus provides. <a href="/msb/philippians/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> God is my witness how I long for all of you with the affection of Jesus Christ. <a href="/net/philippians/1.htm">NET Bible</a> For God is my witness that I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. <a href="/nheb/philippians/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> For God is my witness, how I long after all of you in the tender mercies of Christ Jesus. <a href="/wbt/philippians/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> For God is my witness, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ. <a href="/wey/philippians/1.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> For God is my witness how I yearn over all of you with tender Christian affection. <a href="/web/philippians/1.htm">World English Bible</a> For God is my witness, how I long after all of you in the tender mercies of Christ Jesus. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/philippians/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> For God is my witness, how I long for you all with [the] yearnings of Jesus Christ, <a href="/blb/philippians/1.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> For God is my witness how I long after you all in the affection of Christ Jesus. <a href="/ylt/philippians/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> For God is my witness, how I long for you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ, <a href="/slt/philippians/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> For God is my witness, how I long for you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/philippians/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> For God is my witness, how I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ. <a href="/cpdv/philippians/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> For God is my witness how, within the heart of Jesus Christ, I long for all of you. <a href="/nabre/philippians/1.htm">New American Bible</a> For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. <a href="/nrsvce/philippians/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the compassion of Christ Jesus.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/philippians/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> For God is my witness of how much I love you through the love of Jesus Christ. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/philippians/1.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> For God is my witness, how much I love you with the affection of Yeshua The Messiah.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/philippians/1.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> For God is my witness how ardently I love you with the affection of Christ Jesus.<CM> <a href="/godbey/philippians/1.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> For God is my witness, how I long after you in the affections of Jesus Christ. <a href="/haweis/philippians/1.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> For God is my witness, how earnestly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ. <a href="/mace/philippians/1.htm">Mace New Testament</a> for God is my witness, that I love you with a christian tenderness. <a href="/wey/philippians/1.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> For God is my witness how I yearn over all of you with tender Christian affection. <a href="/worrell/philippians/1.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> For God is my witness, how I long for you all in the tender affections of Christ Jesus. <a href="/worsley/philippians/1.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> For God is my witness, how much I long for you all, as with the bowels of Jesus Christ. <a href="/parallel/philippians/1-8.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mXomUhcrPbg?start=56" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/philippians/1.htm">Thanksgiving and Prayer</a> …7It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart. For in my chains and in my defense and confirmation of the gospel, you are all partners in grace with me. 8<a href="/greek/1063.htm" title="1063: gar (Conj) -- For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason."></a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2316.htm" title="2316: Theos (N-NMS) -- A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.">God is</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: mou (PPro-G1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">my</a> <a href="/greek/3144.htm" title="3144: martys (N-NMS) -- A witness (judicially) or figuratively (genitive case); by analogy, a martyr.">witness</a> <a href="/greek/5613.htm" title="5613: hōs (Adv) -- Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.">how</a> <a href="/greek/1971.htm" title="1971: epipothō (V-PIA-1S) -- From epi and potheo; to dote upon, i.e. Intensely crave possession.">I long for</a> <a href="/greek/3956.htm" title="3956: pantas (Adj-AMP) -- All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.">all</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: hymas (PPro-A2P) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">of you</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">with</a> <a href="/greek/4698.htm" title="4698: splanchnois (N-DNP) -- Probably strengthened from splen; an intestine; figuratively, pity or sympathy.">the affection</a> <a href="/greek/5547.htm" title="5547: Christou (N-GMS) -- Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus.">of Christ</a> <a href="/greek/2424.htm" title="2424: Iēsou (N-GMS) -- Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.">Jesus.</a> 9And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/2_corinthians/11-31.htm">2 Corinthians 11:31</a> The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is forever worthy of praise, knows that I am not lying. <a href="/romans/1-9.htm">Romans 1:9</a> God, whom I serve with my spirit in preaching the gospel of His Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you <a href="/1_thessalonians/2-5.htm">1 Thessalonians 2:5</a> As you know, we never used words of flattery or any pretext for greed. God is our witness! <a href="/1_thessalonians/2-10.htm">1 Thessalonians 2:10</a> You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous, and blameless our conduct was among you who believed. <a href="/2_corinthians/1-23.htm">2 Corinthians 1:23</a> I call God as my witness that it was in order to spare you that I did not return to Corinth. <a href="/galatians/1-20.htm">Galatians 1:20</a> I assure you before God that what I am writing to you is no lie. <a href="/1_john/3-18.htm">1 John 3:18</a> Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth. <a href="/2_corinthians/6-11.htm">2 Corinthians 6:11-13</a> We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians. Our hearts are open wide. / It is not our affection, but yours, that is restrained. / As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children—open wide your hearts also. <a href="/2_corinthians/7-3.htm">2 Corinthians 7:3</a> I do not say this to condemn you. I have said before that you so occupy our hearts that we live and die together with you. <a href="/1_thessalonians/3-6.htm">1 Thessalonians 3:6-10</a> But just now, Timothy has returned from his visit with the good news about your faith, your love, and the fond memories you have preserved, longing to see us just as we long to see you. / For this reason, brothers, in all our distress and persecution, we have been reassured about you, because of your faith. / For now we can go on living, as long as you are standing firm in the Lord. ... <a href="/romans/9-1.htm">Romans 9:1</a> I speak the truth in Christ; I am not lying, as confirmed by my conscience in the Holy Spirit. <a href="/2_timothy/1-3.htm">2 Timothy 1:3</a> I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience as did my forefathers, as I constantly remember you night and day in my prayers. <a href="/1_corinthians/1-4.htm">1 Corinthians 1:4</a> I always thank my God for you because of the grace He has given you in Christ Jesus. <a href="/ephesians/4-1.htm">Ephesians 4:1</a> As a prisoner in the Lord, then, I urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling you have received: <a href="/colossians/1-8.htm">Colossians 1:8</a> and who also informed us of your love in the Spirit.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.God.<a href="/romans/1-9.htm">Romans 1:9</a> For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;<a href="/romans/9-1.htm">Romans 9:1</a> I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,<a href="/galatians/1-20.htm">Galatians 1:20</a> Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not.how.<a href="/philippians/2-26.htm">Philippians 2:26</a> For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick.<a href="/philippians/4-1.htm">Philippians 4:1</a> Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.<a href="/2_corinthians/13-9.htm">2 Corinthians 13:9</a> For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection.in.<a href="/philippians/2-1.htm">Philippians 2:1</a> If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,<a href="/isaiah/16-11.htm">Isaiah 16:11</a> Wherefore my bowels shall sound like an harp for Moab, and mine inward parts for Kirharesh.<a href="/isaiah/63-15.htm">Isaiah 63:15</a> Look down from heaven, and behold from the habitation of thy holiness and of thy glory: where is thy zeal and thy strength, the sounding of thy bowels and of thy mercies toward me? are they restrained?<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_corinthians/7-15.htm">Affection</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/6-12.htm">Bowels</a> <a href="/philippians/1-6.htm">Christ</a> <a href="/ephesians/6-4.htm">Christian</a> <a href="/ephesians/4-26.htm">Goes</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/10-15.htm">Greatly</a> <a href="/philippians/1-6.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/ephesians/6-24.htm">Love</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/1-3.htm">Mercies</a> <a href="/galatians/4-15.htm">Record</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/7-15.htm">Tender</a> <a href="/ephesians/4-17.htm">Testify</a> <a href="/ephesians/4-17.htm">Witness</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/9-14.htm">Yearn</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/philippians/2-1.htm">Affection</a> <a href="/philippians/2-1.htm">Bowels</a> <a href="/philippians/1-10.htm">Christ</a> <a href="/philippians/2-29.htm">Christian</a> <a href="/philippians/1-18.htm">Goes</a> <a href="/philippians/2-26.htm">Greatly</a> <a href="/philippians/1-11.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/philippians/1-9.htm">Love</a> <a href="/philippians/2-1.htm">Mercies</a> <a href="/colossians/4-13.htm">Record</a> <a href="/philippians/2-1.htm">Tender</a> <a href="/colossians/4-13.htm">Testify</a> <a href="/philippians/2-11.htm">Witness</a> <a href="/genesis/43-30.htm">Yearn</a><div class="vheading2">Philippians 1</div>1. <a href="/philippians/1-1.htm">Paul testifies his thankfulness to God, and his love toward the Philippians,</a> 9. <a href="/philippians/1-9.htm">daily praying for their increase in grace;</a> 12. <a href="/philippians/1-12.htm">he shows what good the faith of Christ had received by his troubles at Rome;</a> 21. <a href="/philippians/1-21.htm">and how ready he is to glorify Christ either by his life or death;</a> 27. <a href="/philippians/1-27.htm">exhorting them to unity;</a> 28. <a href="/philippians/1-28.htm">and to fortitude in persecution.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/philippians/1.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/philippians/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/philippians/1.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>God is my witness Paul begins by invoking God as his witness, emphasizing the sincerity and truthfulness of his statement. This reflects a common practice in ancient times where oaths or declarations were made in the presence of a deity to affirm their truth. In the context of the early church, this underscores the seriousness with which Paul regards his relationship with the Philippians. It also aligns with other instances in Scripture where God is called upon as a witness, such as in <a href="/romans/1-9.htm">Romans 1:9</a> and <a href="/2_corinthians/1-23.htm">2 Corinthians 1:23</a>, highlighting the deep spiritual connection and accountability Paul feels.how I long for all of you Paul expresses a deep yearning for the Philippian believers, indicating a strong emotional bond. This longing is not just a personal affection but is rooted in their shared faith and partnership in the gospel. The use of the word "long" suggests an intense desire to be with them, reflecting the communal nature of early Christian communities. This longing is also seen in other letters, such as <a href="/1_thessalonians/3-6.htm">1 Thessalonians 3:6</a>, where Paul expresses similar sentiments towards other churches, showing his pastoral heart and commitment to the spiritual well-being of his converts.with the affection of Christ Jesus Paul's affection for the Philippians is described as being "of Christ Jesus," indicating that it is not merely human emotion but is inspired and empowered by Christ himself. This phrase suggests that Paul's love for the Philippians is a reflection of Christ's own love for them, which is selfless, sacrificial, and unconditional. It points to the transformative power of Christ's love in the believer's life, enabling them to love others in a Christ-like manner. This concept is echoed in other passages, such as <a href="/galatians/2-20.htm">Galatians 2:20</a>, where Paul speaks of living by faith in the Son of God, who loved him and gave himself for him, illustrating the profound impact of Christ's love on his ministry and relationships.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/p/paul.htm">Paul</a> The apostle who wrote the letter to the Philippians. He is expressing his deep affection for the believers in Philippi. 2. <a href="/topical/p/philippians.htm">Philippians</a> The recipients of the letter, the Christian community in Philippi, a city in Macedonia. 3. <a href="/topical/c/christ_jesus.htm">Christ Jesus</a> Central figure of Christianity, whose love and affection Paul seeks to emulate in his relationship with the Philippians.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_depth_of_christian_love.htm">The Depth of Christian Love</a> Paul’s longing for the Philippians with the affection of Christ Jesus highlights the depth and sincerity of Christian love. This love is not superficial but rooted in the example of Christ. <a href="/topical/g/god_as_witness.htm">God as Witness</a> Invoking God as a witness underscores the seriousness and truthfulness of our words and actions. It reminds us to live with integrity and sincerity in our relationships. <a href="/topical/e/emulating_christ's_affection.htm">Emulating Christ’s Affection</a> As believers, we are called to emulate the love and affection of Christ in our interactions with others. This involves selflessness, compassion, and genuine care. <a href="/topical/c/community_and_connection.htm">Community and Connection</a> Paul’s longing for the Philippians reflects the importance of community and connection within the body of Christ. We are encouraged to foster deep, meaningful relationships within our church communities. <a href="/topical/p/prayerful_longing.htm">Prayerful Longing</a> Paul’s expression of longing is intertwined with prayer, suggesting that our desires for others should be brought before God, seeking His guidance and blessing.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_philippians_1.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Philippians 1</a> <a href="/q/what_defines_intimacy_with_god.htm">What defines an intimate relationship with God?</a> <a href="/q/is_paul's_distress_in_2_cor_2_4_genuine.htm">In 2 Corinthians 2:4, is Paul’s emotional distress genuine or a literary device to manipulate his readers? </a> <a href="/q/does_2_cor_10_10_conflict_with_paul's_charisma.htm">In 2 Corinthians 10:10, Paul is described as unimpressive in person yet bold in letters; does this conflict with other biblical portrayals of him as a charismatic figure?</a> <a href="/q/why_do_charitable_people_face_hardship.htm">Proverbs 19:17 suggests a guaranteed divine reward for helping the poor--why do many charitable people still face hardship with no apparent 'repayment'?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/philippians/1.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(8) God is my record.--We have a similar adjuration in <a href="/romans/1-9.htm" title="For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;">Romans 1:9</a>; <a href="/2_corinthians/1-23.htm" title="Moreover I call God for a record on my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet to Corinth.">2Corinthians 1:23</a>; <a href="/1_thessalonians/2-5.htm" title="For neither at any time used we flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak of covetousness; God is witness:">1Thessalonians 2:5</a>; <a href="/1_thessalonians/2-10.htm" title="You are witnesses, and God also, how piously and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you that believe:">1Thessalonians 2:10</a>. These instances show in what sense St. Paul interpreted such commands as the "swear not at all" of <a href="/matthew/5-34.htm" title="But I say to you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne:">Matthew 5:34</a>.In the bowels of Jesus Christ.--The use of the word, which we translate (not very happily or correctly) by "bowels," is common with St. Paul. (See <a href="/2_corinthians/6-12.htm" title="You are not straitened in us, but you are straitened in your own bowels.">2Corinthians 6:12</a>; <a href="/2_corinthians/7-15.htm" title="And his inward affection is more abundant toward you, whilst he remembers the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling you received him.">2Corinthians 7:15</a>; <a href="/colossians/3-12.htm" title=" Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering;">Colossians 3:12</a>; <a href="/philemon/1-7.htm" title="For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by you, brother.">Philemon 1:7</a>; <a href="/philemon/1-12.htm" title="Whom I have sent again: you therefore receive him, that is, my own bowels:">Philemon 1:12</a>; <a href="/philemon/1-20.htm" title="Yes, brother, let me have joy of you in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.">Philemon 1:20</a>.) It corresponds to our use of "heart" as the seat of affection--the word "heart" itself in the New Testament being employed, in a wider sense, to signify the whole inner man. (See <a href="/ephesians/1-18.htm" title="The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,">Ephesians 1:18</a> : "the eyes of your heart being enlightened," and Note there.) But the phrase here is striking and even startling. "I long after you" (says St. Paul) "in the heart of Jesus Christ." He can say (as in <a href="/galatians/2-20.htm" title="I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.">Galatians 2:20</a>), "I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me." Hence the deep yearning of love which he feels for them he knows to be an emanation, faint indeed, but true, from the "heart of Jesus Christ" dwelling in him. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/philippians/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 8. - For God is my record - rather, witness (comp. <a href="/romans/1-9.htm">Romans 1:9</a>) - 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 of Christ. <a href="/commentaries/philippians/1-8.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>God [is] Θεός (Theos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2316.htm">Strong's 2316: </a> A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very. my μου (mou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. witness μάρτυς (martys) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3144.htm">Strong's 3144: </a> A witness (judicially) or figuratively (genitive case); by analogy, a 'martyr'. how ὡς (hōs) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_5613.htm">Strong's 5613: </a> Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner. I long for ἐπιποθῶ (epipothō) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1971.htm">Strong's 1971: </a> From epi and potheo; to dote upon, i.e. Intensely crave possession. all πάντας (pantas) Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3956.htm">Strong's 3956: </a> All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole. of you ὑμᾶς (hymas) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. with ἐν (en) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. [the] affection σπλάγχνοις (splanchnois) Noun - Dative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4698.htm">Strong's 4698: </a> Probably strengthened from splen; an intestine; figuratively, pity or sympathy. of Christ Χριστοῦ (Christou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5547.htm">Strong's 5547: </a> Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus. Jesus. Ἰησοῦ (Iēsou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2424.htm">Strong's 2424: </a> Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/philippians/1-8.htm">Philippians 1:8 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/philippians/1-8.htm">Philippians 1:8 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/philippians/1-8.htm">Philippians 1:8 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/philippians/1-8.htm">Philippians 1:8 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/philippians/1-8.htm">Philippians 1:8 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/philippians/1-8.htm">Philippians 1:8 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/philippians/1-8.htm">Philippians 1:8 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/philippians/1-8.htm">Philippians 1:8 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/philippians/1-8.htm">Philippians 1:8 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/philippians/1-8.htm">Philippians 1:8 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/philippians/1-8.htm">NT Letters: Philippians 1:8 For God is my witness how (Philipp. Phil. Php.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/philippians/1-7.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Philippians 1:7"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Philippians 1:7" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/philippians/1-9.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Philippians 1:9"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Philippians 1:9" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>