Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Titus 3:4

"But when the kindness of God our Saviour, and his love toward man, appeared," — Titus 3:4 (ASV)

Our salvation roots in a definite historical event, “when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared.” “Appeared” (cf. 2:11) looks back to the salvation manifested in the incarnate Christ. The salvation embodied in him manifested two aspects of the nature of “God our Savior”: (1) his “kindness” (GK 5983) that prompted him to bestow forgiveness and blessings; (2) his “love” (GK 5792) or affection for us that he displayed in spite of our sin and degradation. These two concepts are closely connected and form one whole. Through his action in Christ, God is now revealed as “our Savior.” “Our” is strongly confessional and associates Paul with all those who have appropriated this Savior as their own (cf. Galatians 2:20).