Philipper 1:8

8 Denn Gott ist mein Zeuge, wie ich mich nach euch allen sehne mit dem Herzen Christi Jesu.

Philipper 1:8 Meaning and Commentary

Philippians 1:8

For God is my record
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 company and conversation, have communion with them, and impart some spiritual gift unto them: and this he did

in the bowels of Jesus Christ;
not with an human and carnal affection, but with a Christian and spiritual one; with a love which came from Christ, and was in imitation of him, and on account of their being in him, loved by him, belonging to him, and being believers in him: it was in the most tender manner that he loved them, and was affected to them; the phrase denotes, that his love towards them was internal, in his heart, and was most tender and strong; and like to that tender concern Christ had for them, and which he stirred up in him.

Philipper 1:8 In-Context

6 indem ich eben dessen in guter Zuversicht bin, daß der, welcher ein gutes Werk in euch angefangen hat, es vollführen wird bis auf den Tag Jesu Christi;

7 wie es für mich recht ist, daß ich dies in betreff euer aller denke, weil ihr mich im Herzen habt, und sowohl in meinen Banden, als auch in der Verantwortung und Bestätigung des Evangeliums, ihr alle meine Mitteilnehmer der Gnade seid.

8 Denn Gott ist mein Zeuge, wie ich mich nach euch allen sehne mit dem Herzen Christi Jesu.

9 Und um dieses bete ich, daß eure Liebe noch mehr und mehr überströme in Erkenntnis und aller Einsicht,

10 damit ihr prüfen möget, was das Vorzüglichere sei, auf daß ihr lauter und unanstößig seid auf den Tag Christi,