“For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.”
For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus — Paul invokes divine witness (a solemn oath formula) to authenticate the intensity of his longing (pothos, a passionate yearning). 'The affection of Christ Jesus' (ton splanchnon Christou Iēsou) attributes to Christ the deep visceral compassion of the incarnate Lord—not detached but warmly human. This love is not Paul's invention but flows from Christ himself, making it transcendent. The emotional and theological are inseparable here.
Church Fathers on Philippians 1:8
He calls not God to witness as though he should be doubted, but does this from his great affection, and his exceeding persuasion and confidence; for after saying that they had fellowship with him, he adds this also, “in the tender mercies of Christ,” lest they should think that his longing for them was for this cause, and not simply for their own sake. And what mean these words, “in the tender mercies of Christ”? They stand for “according to Christ.” Because you are…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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