Philippians 1 · Verse 8

Philippians 1:8

For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1:8, King James Version

Philippians 1:8 in other translations

BSBGod is my witness how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
WEBFor God is my witness, how I long after all of you in the tender mercies of Christ Jesus.
ASVFor God is my witness, how I long after you all in the tender mercies of Christ Jesus.
YLTFor God is my witness, how I long for you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ,
DARBYFor God is my witness how I long after you all in the bowels of Christ Jesus.
BBEFor God is my witness, how my love goes out to you all in the loving mercies of Christ Jesus.
WebsterFor God is my witness, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.

What does Philippians 1:8 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
8. Confirmation of Php 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, Jr 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].

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 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. Isa 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 ardour of his attachment.

(+) "bowels of Jesus Christ" "With the tender affection of"

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 8 For God is my record - I call God to witness that I have the strongest affection for you, and that I love you with that same kind of tender concern with which Christ loved the world when he gave himself for it; for I am even ready to be offered on the sacrifice and service of your faith, Phi 2:17.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Philippians 1:8-11
Shall not we pity and love those souls whom Christ loves and pities? Those who abound in any grace, need to abound more. Try things which differ; that we may approve the things which are excellent. The truths and laws of Christ are excellent; and they recommend themselves as such to any attentive mind. Sincerity is that in which we should have our conversation in the world, and it is the glory of all our graces. Christians should not be apt to take offence, and should be very careful not to offend God or the brethren. The things which most honour God will most benefit us. Let us not leave it doubtful whether any good fruit is found in us or not. A small measure of Christian love, knowledge, and fruitfulness should not satisfy any.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Philippians 1:8 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ΜάρτυςMartusWitnessG3144
γάρgarforG1063
μουmouof mineG3165
ὁho<the>G3588
θεός,theosGodG2316
ὡςhōshowG5613
ἐπιποθῶepipothōI long afterG1971
πάνταςpantasallG3956
ὑμᾶςhumasyouG4771
ἐνeninG1722
σπλάγχνοιςsplagchnois[the] affectionG4698
ΧριστοῦChristouof ChristG5547
Ἰησοῦ.IēsouJesus.G2424

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Philippians 1:8

  • Romans 1:9

    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;

  • Philippians 4:1

    Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.

  • 2 Timothy 1:4

    Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy;

  • 1 Thessalonians 2:8

    So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.

  • Romans 9:1

    I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,

  • Colossians 2:1

    For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;

  • Philemon 1:12

    Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:

  • Jeremiah 31:20

    Is Ephraim my dear son? is he a pleasant child? for since I spake against him, I do earnestly remember him still: therefore my bowels are troubled for him; I will surely have mercy upon him, saith the Lord.

  • 2 Corinthians 6:12

    Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels.

  • Luke 1:78

    Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,

  • Isaiah 63:15

    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?

  • Isaiah 16:11

    Wherefore my bowels shall sound like an harp for Moab, and mine inward parts for Kir–haresh.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
God.
Ro 1:9; 9:1; Ga 1:20; 1Th 2:5
how.
2:26; 4:1; 2Co 13:9; Ga 4:19; Col 2:1; 1Th 2:8; 2Ti 1:4
in.
2:1; Isa 16:11; 63:15; Jer 31:20; Lu 1:78; *marg:
2Co 6:12; 7:15; *marg:
Col 3:12; Phm 1:12,20; 1Jo 3:17

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Philippians 1:7

    Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.

  • Philippians 1:8

    For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.

  • Philippians 1:9

    And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;

Read all of Philippians 1

Philippians 1:8 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909
Porque Dios me es testigo de cómo os amo á todos vosotros en las entrañas de Jesucristo.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885
Car Dieu m’est témoin que je pense avec une vive affection à vous tous, dans les entrailles du christ Jésus.
German
Elberfelder 1871
Denn Gott ist mein Zeuge, wie ich mich nach euch allen sehne mit dem Herzen Christi Jesu.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate
Testis enim mihi est Deus, quomodo cupiam omnes vos in visceribus Jesu Christi.