But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared (epephanē), he saved us — the second epiphany statement marks the historical eruption of divine benevolence (agathotes — goodness, and philanthropia — loving kindness) into human darkness. The verb epephanē (appeared) echoes 2:11, creating a threefold epiphany motif in Titus (1:2, 2:11, 3:4), grounding all ethics in the manifestation of salvation. The appearance itself constitutes the salvation (esōsen hēmas); grace is not abstract doctrine but historical event.

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