The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 1:9
And this I pray . This is the purport of the prayer already mentioned in Philippians 1:4 . The conjunction ἵνα marks the end of St. Paul's prayer, and so its purport. That your love may abound yet more and more . Your love; not love for the apostle only, but the grace of Christian charity. St. Paul finds no fault with the Philippians, but "ignis in apostolo nunquam dicit, Sufficit" (Bengel). He prays for their continued growth in love, but not unintelligent love. In knowledge and in... read more
The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 1:8
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... read more