Philippians 1:8
New International Version
God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

New Living Translation
God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus.

English Standard Version
For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.

Berean Standard Bible
God is my witness how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

Berean Literal Bible
For God is my witness how I long after you all in the affection of Christ Jesus.

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

New King James Version
For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ.

New American Standard Bible
For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.

NASB 1995
For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.

NASB 1977
For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.

Legacy Standard Bible
For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.

Amplified Bible
For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus [whose great love fills me].

Christian Standard Bible
For God is my witness, how deeply I miss all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For God is my witness, how deeply I miss all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

American Standard Version
For God is my witness, how I long after you all in the tender mercies of Christ Jesus.

Contemporary English Version
God himself knows how much I want to see you. He knows I care for you in the same way Christ Jesus does.

English Revised Version
For God is my witness, how I long after you all in the tender mercies of Christ Jesus.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
God is my witness that, with all the compassion of Christ Jesus, I long [to see] every one of you.

Good News Translation
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.

International Standard Version
For God is my witness how much I long for all of you with the compassion that the Messiah Jesus provides.

Majority Standard Bible
God is my witness how I long for all of you with the affection of Jesus Christ.

NET Bible
For God is my witness that I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

New Heart English Bible
For God is my witness, how I long after all of you in the tender mercies of Christ Jesus.

Webster's Bible Translation
For God is my witness, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.

Weymouth New Testament
For God is my witness how I yearn over all of you with tender Christian affection.

World English Bible
For God is my witness, how I long after all of you in the tender mercies of Christ Jesus.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
For God is my witness, how I long for you all with [the] yearnings of Jesus Christ,

Berean Literal Bible
For God is my witness how I long after you all in the affection of Christ Jesus.

Young's Literal Translation
For God is my witness, how I long for you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ,

Smith's Literal Translation
For God is my witness, how I long for you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For God is my witness, how I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For God is my witness how, within the heart of Jesus Christ, I long for all of you.

New American Bible
For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

New Revised Standard Version
For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the compassion of Christ Jesus.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For God is my witness of how much I love you through the love of Jesus Christ.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
For God is my witness, how much I love you with the affection of Yeshua The Messiah.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
For God is my witness how ardently I love you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

Godbey New Testament
For God is my witness, how I long after you in the affections of Jesus Christ.

Haweis New Testament
For God is my witness, how earnestly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.

Mace New Testament
for God is my witness, that I love you with a christian tenderness.

Weymouth New Testament
For God is my witness how I yearn over all of you with tender Christian affection.

Worrell New Testament
For God is my witness, how I long for you all in the tender affections of Christ Jesus.

Worsley New Testament
For God is my witness, how much I long for you all, as with the bowels of Jesus Christ.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Thanksgiving and Prayer
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 God is my witness how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,…

Cross References
2 Corinthians 11:31
The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is forever worthy of praise, knows that I am not lying.

Romans 1:9
God, whom I serve with my spirit in preaching the gospel of His Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you

1 Thessalonians 2:5
As you know, we never used words of flattery or any pretext for greed. God is our witness!

1 Thessalonians 2:10
You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous, and blameless our conduct was among you who believed.

2 Corinthians 1:23
I call God as my witness that it was in order to spare you that I did not return to Corinth.

Galatians 1:20
I assure you before God that what I am writing to you is no lie.

1 John 3:18
Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth.

2 Corinthians 6:11-13
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.

2 Corinthians 7:3
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.

1 Thessalonians 3:6-10
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. ...

Romans 9:1
I speak the truth in Christ; I am not lying, as confirmed by my conscience in the Holy Spirit.

2 Timothy 1:3
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.

1 Corinthians 1:4
I always thank my God for you because of the grace He has given you in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 4:1
As a prisoner in the Lord, then, I urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling you have received:

Colossians 1:8
and who also informed us of your love in the Spirit.


Treasury of Scripture

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

God.

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;

Romans 9:1
I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,

Galatians 1:20
Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not.

how.

Philippians 2:26
For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick.

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 Corinthians 13:9
For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection.

in.

Philippians 2:1
If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,

Isaiah 16:11
Wherefore my bowels shall sound like an harp for Moab, and mine inward parts for Kirharesh.

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?

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Affection Bowels Christ Christian Goes Greatly Jesus Love Mercies Record Tender Testify Witness Yearn
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Affection Bowels Christ Christian Goes Greatly Jesus Love Mercies Record Tender Testify Witness Yearn
Philippians 1
1. Paul testifies his thankfulness to God, and his love toward the Philippians,
9. daily praying for their increase in grace;
12. he shows what good the faith of Christ had received by his troubles at Rome;
21. and how ready he is to glorify Christ either by his life or death;
27. exhorting them to unity;
28. and to fortitude in persecution.














God is my witness
This phrase underscores the solemnity and sincerity of Paul's statement. In the ancient world, invoking God as a witness was a serious matter, reflecting the truthfulness and depth of one's words. The Greek word for "witness" is "martys," which is also the root for "martyr," indicating someone who bears witness even unto death. Paul is emphasizing that his longing for the Philippians is not superficial but deeply genuine, as if God Himself could testify to its truth.

how I long for all of you
The Greek word for "long" is "epipotheō," which conveys an intense yearning or desire. This is not a casual wish but a deep-seated emotional connection. Paul’s longing is not selective; it is for "all of you," indicating the unity and inclusiveness of his affection for the entire Philippian church. Historically, Philippi was a Roman colony, and the church there was diverse, yet Paul’s love transcends any social or cultural barriers.

with the affection of Christ Jesus
The term "affection" is translated from the Greek word "splagchnon," which literally refers to the inward parts or bowels, considered the seat of emotions in ancient times. This phrase signifies a profound, compassionate love that mirrors the love of Christ Himself. Paul is not merely expressing human affection but is channeling the divine love that Christ has for His people. This reflects the transformative power of Christ’s love, which enables believers to love others with a supernatural depth and sincerity.

(8) God is my record.--We have a similar adjuration in Romans 1:9; 2Corinthians 1:23; 1Thessalonians 2:5; 1Thessalonians 2:10. These instances show in what sense St. Paul interpreted such commands as the "swear not at all" of Matthew 5:34.

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 2Corinthians 6:12; 2Corinthians 7:15; Colossians 3:12; Philemon 1:7; Philemon 1:12; Philemon 1:20.) 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 Ephesians 1:18 : "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 Galatians 2:20), "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. . . .

Verse 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 of Christ.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
God [is]
Θεός (Theos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

my
μου (mou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

witness
μάρτυς (martys)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3144: A witness (judicially) or figuratively (genitive case); by analogy, a 'martyr'.

how
ὡς (hōs)
Adverb
Strong's 5613: 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
Strong's 1971: From epi and potheo; to dote upon, i.e. Intensely crave possession.

all
πάντας (pantas)
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3956: 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
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

with
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: 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
Strong's 4698: Probably strengthened from splen; an intestine; figuratively, pity or sympathy.

of Christ
Χριστοῦ (Christou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 5547: 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
Strong's 2424: Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.


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NT Letters: Philippians 1:8 For God is my witness how (Philipp. Phil. Php.)
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