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Love for mankind (5363) (philanthropia from phílos = friend or phileō = to have affection for + anthropos = man; English = philanthropy = the desire to promote the welfare of others, especially through the donation of money to good causes) means benevolence or a friendly disposition toward people (friendliness). It describes an affectionate concern for mankind.
Webster defines philanthropy as "goodwill to fellowmen; especially active effort to promote human welfare" -- An apt description of what God does for man in salvation.
In the present context philanthropia describes God's compassion, especially the eagerness to deliver someone from pain, trouble, or danger. It involves more than mere emotion and always finds a way to express itself in some form of helpfulness. It is God's uninfluenced and unearned friendly disposition, affectionate concern for and interest in mankind (the very ones who outside of Christ who are "haters of God", Ro 1:30-note, "enemies" Ro 5:10-note, "alienated and hostile in mind" Col 1:21-note!). Amazing grace that loves and saves such wretches as we!
Paul understood this word well, for he himself had twice experienced philanthropia from unsaved Gentiles, Luke recording that before Paul boarded the ship to be taken as a prisoner to Rome, the centurion
Julius treated Paul with consideration (the related word philanthropos) and allowed him to go to his friends and receive care. (Acts 27:3)
Note the benevolent disposition of philanthropy is associated with a beneficial action, so it's not really always "the thought that counts" for actions really do "speak louder than words"! Again, after suffering shipwreck off the coast of Malta and managing to safely reach shore, just as God had promised (Acts 27:22, 23, 24, 25, 26),
Luke records that the unregenerate
natives showed us (Paul and Luke) extraordinary (uncommon, unusual, unexpected) kindness (philanthropia) for because of the rain that had set in and because of the cold, they kindled a fire and received us all. (Acts 28:2)
Once again their philanthropy spoke through their kind actions.
All men are "shipwrecked", helpless (Ro 5:6-note) and lost without God's philanthropia. And yet God stood eternally ready to help and welcome humanity drowning in the sea of sin, Scripture testifying that
God demonstrates (present tense - continually!) His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Ro 5:8-note)
for God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:16)
Hiebert writes that
God's 'love-toward-man' (our English word "philanthropy") is expressive of the fact of His feeling of pity toward man and that it extends to all men. The divine attitude thus stands in sharp contrast to the human disposition pictured in v3. Although God hates the sinner's sin, He loves the sinner and yearns to save him. God was the first great Philanthropist. True human philanthropy must be rooted in the divine love. "The goodness and love of God to man on which our salvation is based, should lead us to show benevolence and gentleness to all men." (Huther)."
Barclay writes that
philanthrōpía...is defined as love of man as man. The Greeks thought much of this beautiful word. They used it for the good man’s kindliness to his equals, for a good king’s graciousness to his subjects, for a generous man’s active pity for those in any kind of distress, and specially for the compassion which made a man ransom a fellow-man when he had fallen into captivity. (Barclay, W: The Daily Study Bible Series, Rev. ed. Philadelphia: The Westminster Press)
Milne comments that
Since philanthropy was publicly prized and praised by imperial rulers, its inclusion here may be meant to highlight the special and altogether superior type of philanthropy that lies at the heart of the Christian religion. Unlike the gods of the pagan cults, the God of Christianity is a God who really cares about men and women. (Focus on the Bible: 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy and Titus)
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http://www.preceptaustin.org/titus_34.htm#LOVE%20OF%20MAN%20PHILANTHROPIA
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