Note 9 at Phil. 1:8: "For God is my record" is an expression that Paul uses to convey the fact that God is the one who really knows and can testify to the truthfulness of that which is in Paul's heart. This strengthens the truthfulness of Paul's statement. Similar expressions used by Paul are found in Romans 1:9; 2 Corinthians 1:23; 1 Thessalonians 2:5, 10.

Note 10 at Phil. 1:8: The Greek word SPLAGCHNON, which was translated "bowels" here, was also translated "tender mercy" in Luke 1:78. The NIV translation rendered this word as "affection" in this verse. The belief of Paul's day was that the seat of the affections was located in the bowels of a person. Today we speak of the heart as being the seat of our emotions. Neither one of these words are to be taken literally. It is speaking of our emotions.