Matthew Poole and continuators on Philippians 1:8

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

Confirming what he had before written, he appeals to God in the Heavens, who searcheth the Heart, and trieth the Reins as in some other Epistles, Rom. 1.9. 2 Cor. 1.23. with 11.31. Gal. 1.20. 1 Thess. 2.5, 10. and Iob, 16.19. by making a solemn Protestation, or Oath to put the matter out of doubt, Heb. 6.16. and giving them assurance (as he lawfully, might in this way for God's Glory, and their good, Deut. 6.13.)

Of the Sincerity and intensness of his hearty affections towards every one of them, ch. 2.26. & 4.1. with 2 Cor. 9.14.

Not out of any carnal, selfish, or worldly respects; but a really Christian, spiritual and tender love, seated in the inward parts of this sanctified Apostle, Ier. 31.33. by the same Spirit that united him unto Christ, who loves his spouse with no common love, but is the spring and procurer, and great exemplar of that affectionate Christian love, which like him they are to exert from the very root of their hearts, purely, unfeignedly and fervently without dissimulation, Rom. 12.9. 1 Pet. 1.22. imitating God and Christ, as Paul here (Luk. 1.78.) in the highest degree of dearest affection, did love the Philippians and elsewhere the Thessalonians, 1. Thess. 2, 7, 8.11.