The Affection of Christ Jesus
Paul writes to the church at Philippi from custody (he speaks of "my chains," v.7, 13), yet the letter is his warmest. Two anatomical anchors carry its emotional weight: he holds the Philippians "in my heart" (v.7), and he longs for them with the splanchna, the inward organs, of Christ Jesus (v.8).
I thank my God every time I remember you.
being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
It 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.
God is my witness how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,
Now I want you to know, brothers, that my circumstances have actually served to advance the gospel.
I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have complete boldness so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.
For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
I am torn between the two. I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better indeed.
Nevertheless, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending together as one for the faith of the gospel,
For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him,