But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,

TITUS 3:4KJV
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Titus 3:4 (KJV)

What does Titus 3:4 mean?

Titus 3:4 marks a turning point: God’s kindness and love toward humanity have become visible. The verse presents those qualities as the beginning of the account of how God, called “our Saviour,” acted to rescue people.

Following the description of human wrongdoing in verse 3, the word “But” signals a change in direction. The sentence continues into verse 5, where it explains what God did when his kindness and love appeared.

The Greek behind Titus 3:4

  • “love” — φιλανθρωπία (philanthrōpia): The Greek word carries the sense of love or goodwill toward people. The KJV expresses that sense with the phrase “love … toward man”; the Greek word joins love and humanity in one term.
  • “appeared” — ἐπιφαίνω (epiphainō): The word means to appear or become visible. It presents God’s kindness and love as qualities that have come into view, rather than merely as things spoken about.

Why Titus 3:4 matters

  • God is the one who takes the initiative in the passage. Titus 3:4 begins with the appearance of God’s kindness and love, and verse 5 continues by saying that God “saved us.”
  • The passage explains the basis of that rescue in the next verse. Titus 3:5 says it was “not by works of righteousness which we have done,” but “according to his mercy”—his compassion toward those in need.
  • The phrase “our Saviour” identifies God as the one who rescues. In verse 6, the passage also names “Jesus Christ our Saviour” as it continues the account.

Where else these words appear

“love” Greek G5363 · used in 2 verses

  • Acts 28:2 And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.

“appeared” Greek G2014 · used in 4 verses

  • Luke 1:79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
  • Acts 27:20 And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.
  • Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

“kindness” Greek G5544 · used in 8 verses

  • Romans 2:4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
  • Romans 11:22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
  • Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

“Saviour” Greek G4990 · used in 24 verses

  • Luke 1:47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
  • 1 Timothy 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;
  • Titus 3:6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;