Yes, it is acceptable in English to understand that particular sentence as "he saves us", as the Greek aorist tense form for the verb allows this, and also the context which describes the fact, or a timeless truth (Gnomic sense). You can use such alternate ways in a paraphrase version. Only in recent decades that the scholars have begun to understand that ancient Greek verb is an aspect prominent language, rather than time. The act of Christ's sacrificial death has been described as the cause of our salvation, however, it is not an error to interpret the statement more from a timeless perspective. Such translation will help against potential abuse of Paul's teachings.
Merkle, Plummer defines Aspect as following, in the Going Deeper With New Testament Greek:
There is wide consensus in the relevant scholarly literature today that Greek, unlike English, is aspect-prominent. In other words, the Greek speaker or writer chooses to present an action from a certain subjective vantage point. This choice of perspective (verbal aspect) is more prominent in Greek verbs than the time at which the action is performed and/or the way in which the action is performed (i.e., the action’s objective or intrinsic nature).
Let’s step back to be clear on the most fundamental question: what is verbal aspect? Most NT grammarians concur on the basic definition. Constantine Campbell writes, “Verbal aspect refers to the manner in which verbs are used to view an action or state.” Stanley Porter defines verbal aspect as “a semantic (meaning) category by which a speaker or writer grammaticalizes a perspective on an action by the selection of a particular tense-form in the verbal system.” Buist Fanning’s definition is similar: “Verbal aspect in NT Greek is that category in the grammar of the verb which reflects the focus or viewpoint of the speaker in regard to the action or condition which the verb describes.” Kenneth McKay offers the following definition: “Aspect in ancient Greek is that category of the verb system by means of which an author (or speaker) shows how he views each event or activity he mentions in relation to its context.” From these definitions, it is clear that the central idea with regard to Greek verbal aspect is the subjective perspective or viewpoint from which an author communicates the action of a given verb
There are examples when tense is changed to convey a general gnomic sense, or interpreted that way. It is not exclusive to a tense form or the gnomic sense that we change the verb tense form in the target language to convey and interpret the meaning.
Gnomic Aorist
Occasionally the aorist tense-form is used to communicate a timeless or universal truth. In this case, the verb does not communicate that a particular event or state occurred but that it does occur (all the time). As such, it is often used to express axioms or proverbs. Because of this nuance, the gnomic use of the aorist is typically translated with a present tense verb.
ἐπὶ τῆς Μωϋσέως καθέδρας ἐκάθισαν οἱ γραμματεῖς καὶ οἱ Φαρισαῖοι (Matt 23:2)
The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat (ESV)
ἐδικαιώθη ἡ σοφία ἀπὸ πάντων τῶν τέκνων αὐτῆς (Luke 7:35)
wisdom is vindicated by all her children
οὐδεὶς ποτε τὴν ἑαυτοῦ σάρκα ἐμίσησεν (Eph 5:29)
no one ever hates his own flesh
ἀνέτειλεν γὰρ ὁ ἥλιος σὺν τῷ καύσωνι καὶ ἐξήρανεν τὸν χόρτον καὶ τὸ ἄνθος αὐτοῦ ἐξέπεσεν καὶ ἡ εὐπρέπεια τοῦ προσώπου αὐτοῦ ἀπώλετο (Jas 1:11)
For the sun rises with its scorching heat and dries up the grass; its flower falls off, and its beautiful appearance is destroyed
ἐξηράνθη ὁ χόρτος καὶ τὸ ἄνθος ἐξέπεσεν (1 Pet 1:24)
The grass withers, and the flower drops off
In verse three it talks about how we were once foolish, stubborn, deceived and we are no longer like that, because of God, our Savior and His love for mankind appeared. It is only according to His mercy on us at this time that we have been washed, regenerated, renewed and justified by His grace, so will be heirs to age abiding life. I see it as a done deal others may see it differently. Titus 2:14 – Sherrie Jun 06 '23 at 23:55