χρηστότης καὶ φιλανθρωπία : (benignitas … humanitas) is a constant combination in Greek. See many examples supplied by Field. Here it expresses the notion of John 3:16, οὕτως γὰρ ἠγάπησεν ὁ θεὸς τὸν κόσμον κ. τ. λ. and of Ephesians 2:4-6. Perhaps also, as von Soden suggests, the kindness of God is here contrasted with the unkindness of men to each other; cf. Ephesians 4:31-32.

χρηστότης is a Pauline word, used of God also in reff. φιλανθρωπία is especially used of the beneficent feelings of divine beings towards men; more rarely of the relations between man and man, as in Acts 28:2. Diogenes Laert., quoted by Alf., distinguishes three kinds of φιλανθρ. (1) geniality of manner, (2) helpfulness, (3) sociability.

ἐπεφάνη : See note on 1 Timothy 6:14.

τοῦ σωτῆρος ἡμῶν θεοῦ : θεοῦ, as in Titus 1:3; Titus 2:10, is epexegetical of σωτῆρος.

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Old Testament