Greek word · G2015

ἐπιφάνεια

epiphaneia

appearing

A visible appearance or manifestation, especially the sudden, helping intervention of a god. It was also used for the ceremonial arrival or accession of a ruler, and more broadly for 'prominence' or 'splendor'.

Appears 6 times in 6 verses of the Greek New Testament. · Updated October 23, 2026

What it means

ἐπιφάνεια, -ας, ἡ

(ἐπιφανής), [in LXX: 2 Samuel 7:23 (יָרֵא), Esther 5:1, Amos 5:22, 2Ma.2:21 2Mac 3:24 2Mac 5:4 2Mac 12:22 2Mac 14:16 2Mac 15:27, 3Ma.2:9 3Mac 5:8 3Mac 5:51,* ;] (in late Gk. and Inscr., frequently of deities, see MM, Exp., xiv)

a manifestation, appearance: 2 Thessalonians 2:8, 1 Timothy 6:14, 2 Timothy 1:10 4:1 4:8, Titus 2:13 (cf. M, Th., 148 f.).†

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Titus 2:13

Range of meaning: A visible appearance or manifestation, especially the sudden, helping intervention of a god. It was also used for the ceremonial arrival or accession of a ruler, and more broadly for 'prominence' or 'splendor'.
Against the English: KJV/BSB 'appearing/appearance' is accurate but flat. English 'appearance' can mean 'how something looks', and 'appearing' sounds like quietly showing up. The Greek word carries the idea of a deity breaking into view to act.
How it drifted: English 'epiphany' has drifted toward 'a sudden insight', and the Christian feast of Epiphany has narrowed the word to the visit of the Magi. Neither is the sense here.
Used elsewhere in the period: In 2 Maccabees, epiphaneia names God's visible interventions to defend Israel and the temple (2 Macc 2:21; 3:24; 5:4; 12:22; 15:27); see also 3 Macc 5:8, 51. Hellenistic kings took the title Epiphanēs, 'god made manifest', for example Antiochus IV and Ptolemy V on the Rosetta Stone. An inscription at Ephesus (48 BC) hails Julius Caesar as 'god manifest (epiphanē) and common savior of human life'. In the Pastoral Letters (1–2 Timothy and Titus) the word is used for Christ's future coming (1 Tim 6:14; 2 Tim 4:1, 8) and also for his first coming (2 Tim 1:10). Paul uses it in 2 Thess 2:8.

From the study of 2 Thessalonians 2:8

Range of meaning: A visible appearance or manifestation, especially (1) a god appearing to give help, (2) the glorious arrival or accession of a ruler, or (3) more generally, a shining forth or splendour.
Against the English: KJV 'brightness', BSB 'majesty', NIV/NLT 'splendor', ESV/NASB 'appearance', WEB/YLT 'manifestation'. 'Brightness' and 'splendor' catch the glory but lose the sense of something hidden becoming visible. 'Appearance' catches that but loses the glory.
How it drifted: KJV 'brightness' echoes the Latin Vulgate's illustratione ('illumination'). It narrows the meaning to light.
Used elsewhere in the period: Hellenistic inscriptions and 2–3 Maccabees use epiphaneia for God's or the gods' dramatic interventions (2 Macc 2:21; 3:24; 3 Macc 5:8, 51). Antiochus IV called himself Epiphanēs, 'god manifest'. The Pastoral Letters use the word for Christ's future (and past) appearing (1 Tim 6:14; 2 Tim 4:1, 8; Titus 2:13).

From the study of 2 Timothy 4:1

Range of meaning: 'Appearance, manifestation.' In religious language it meant a visible intervention of a god, often coming to help or rescue. In political language it meant the arrival or public appearance of a ruler. Hellenistic kings took the title Epiphanēs ('god made manifest'), the best-known being Antiochus IV. In the NT it is almost only found in the Pastorals: Christ's first coming (2 Tim 1:10) and his future appearing (1 Tim 6:14; 2 Tim 4:8; Titus 2:13). It is also used once in 2 Thess 2:8 ('the appearing of his coming').
Against the English: 'Appearing' (BSB, KJV, WEB) is fine, and YLT's 'manifestation' is closer still. Neither fully brings out the glory and royal-divine arrival the Greek word suggested. The modern English 'epiphany' (a sudden insight) has nothing to do with it.
Used elsewhere in the period: In 2 Maccabees it is used for God's visible interventions on Israel's behalf (2 Macc 2:21; 3:24; 12:22; 15:27). It appears in Hellenistic inscriptions for gods' saving appearances and for rulers. Antiochus IV took the title 'Epiphanes', and some emperors were honoured in similar terms (see Deissmann, Light from the Ancient East).

Similar words

ἐπιφανής epiphanēs · glorious

Where it appears

2 Thessalonians · 1

2 Thessalonians 2:8 ἐπιφανείᾳ appearing

And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will slay with the breath of His mouth and annihilate by the majesty of His arrival.

Here: 'Manifestation, visible appearing'. In the Greek world it was the standard word for a god showing up visibly to act. The word suggests light breaking out.

1 Timothy · 1

1 Timothy 6:14 ἐπιφανείας appearing

Keep this commandment without stain or reproach until the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Here: The visible, powerful manifestation of a divine figure — a word used of gods showing themselves to rescue their people and of rulers' glorious arrivals. Here it is Jesus' future coming in glory.

2 Timothy · 3

2 Timothy 1:10 ἐπιφανείας appearing

And now He has revealed this grace through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has abolished death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the gospel,

Here: "Appearing." The word was used for a god or ruler visibly showing up to help. Here it means Christ's first coming: his historical life, death and resurrection. It shares a root with phanerōtheisan, so the Greek has an echo: "made visible through the visible appearing."
2 Timothy 4:1 ἐπιφάνειαν appearing

I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of His appearing and His kingdom:

Here: The visible, glorious arrival of a divine or royal figure. Here it means Christ's future public appearing, which is invoked as a solemn ground for the charge.
2 Timothy 4:8 ἐπιφάνειαν appearing

From now on there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but to all who crave His appearing.

Here: The Lord's coming out into full view. In the wider culture the word was used for a god showing his power or a ruler making a state visit. Here it means Christ's future appearing, as in 4:1.

Titus · 1

Titus 2:13 ἐπιφάνειαν [the] appearing

as we await the blessed hope and glorious appearance of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.

Here: A visible, decisive appearance of a divine power. It picks up 'has appeared' (epephanē) in verse 11. Grace has already appeared; glory is yet to appear.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.