Philippians 1:8

“For God is my record, etc.] Which is all one as swearing by him; it is in form of an oath, being a solemn appeal to him as the searcher of hearts, for the uprightness of his mind, the sincerity of his expressions, and the strength of his affections: how greatly I long after you all; the common members, as well as the bishops and deacons, the weak as well as the strong believers, the poor as well as the rich; the apostle's respects were universal, and without distinction: he longed after their spiritual welfare, an increase of gifts and grace among them; he was their spiritual father, and he hankered after them; as parents after their children; he longed to see them, that he might enjoy their…”

“Confirmation of Phi 1:7. 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, Jer 31:20) of Paul, but of Jesus Christ" [BENGEL]. All real spiritual love is but a portion of Christ's love which yearns in all who are united to Him [ALFORD].”

“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 the meaning is, that Paul regarded them with something of the affection which the Lord Jesus had for them. This was the tenderest and strongest expression which he could find to denote the ardor of…”

“I long for you with the bowels of Jesus Christ - In Paul, not Paul lives, but Jesus Christ. Therefore he longs for them with the bowels, the tenderness, not of Paul, but of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:9”

“God: Rom 1:9, Rom 9:1; Gal 1:20; Th1 2:5 how: Phi 2:26, Phi 4:1; Co2 13:9; Gal 4:19; Col 2:1; Th1 2:8; Ti2 1:4 in: Phi 2:1; Isa 16:11, Isa 63:15; Jer 31:20; Luk 1:78 \*marg. Co2 6:12, Co2 7:15 \*marg. Col 3:12; Plm 1:12, Plm 1:20; Jo1 3:17 Philippians 1:9”