{"id":7058883,"date":"2026-09-11T11:03:30","date_gmt":"2026-09-11T11:03:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/uncategorized\/what-is-common-grace-the-reference-desk\/"},"modified":"2026-09-11T11:03:30","modified_gmt":"2026-09-11T11:03:30","slug":"what-is-common-grace-the-reference-desk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=7058883","title":{"rendered":"What Is Common Grace? | The Reference Desk"},"content":{"rendered":"


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This month in The Reference Desk series, we\u2019re sharing an excerpt from Lifeway Women\u2019s new Bible stud<\/em>y\u00a0The Melody of Grace<\/a> by Whitney Capps. In this 7-session Bible study, you\u2019ll examine passages throughout the Bible to explore the transformative power of grace.<\/em><\/p>\n

When we consider the meaning of grace, we inevitably filter our view through the culminating, compassionate, cataclysmic work of the cross of Christ. We see it through the lens of the gospel. This is good and true. There is no more compelling example of the embodied, all-consuming grace of God than this. And we call it saving grace.<\/p>\n

But there is another manifestation of God\u2019s grace present in the world at large. Classically, we refer to this as common grace. It\u2019s distinct from saving grace, but it is grace just the same.<\/p>\n

So, what do we mean by common grace?<\/p>\n

We will look at the biblical context for common grace in a moment, but let\u2019s first read a couple of scholarly quotes to help give us a general understanding of this doctrine.<\/p>\n

Common grace curbs the destructive power of sin, maintains in a measure the moral order of the universe, thus making an orderly life possible, distributes in varying degrees gifts and talents among men, promotes the development of science and art, and showers untold blessings upon the children of men.1<\/sup><\/em><\/p>\n

LOUIS BERKHOF<\/strong><\/p>\n

Common grace, as an expression of the goodness of God, is e very favor, falling short of salvation, which this undeserving and sin-cursed world enjoys at the hand of God; this includes the delay of wrath, the mitigation of our sin-natures, natural events that lead to prosperity, and all gifts that human use and enjoy naturally.2<\/sup><\/em><\/p>\n

SAM STORMS<\/strong><\/p>\n

In short, there is no aspect of goodness on earth among unbelievers that is not the result of common grace.<\/p>\n

And by \u201ccommon,\u201d we don\u2019t mean that everyone gets the same amount or is affected in the same way. Instead, it means that this kind of grace is universally experienced throughout history across all people. In other words, God has always bestowed His graciousness on all people in all parts of the earth at all times.<\/p>\n

Now, let\u2019s go to the biblical context to see ways the common grace of God is evidenced in our world.<\/p>\n

1. GOD SHOWS FAVOR TO ALL PEOPLE.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Throughout Scripture, we can note how God shows His grace to all of humanity, both generally and specifically, regardless of their relationship to Him (Gen. 39:4-5; Ps. 145:9; Acts 14:16-17). He gives people, even unbelievers, gifts, talents, blessings, and opportunities they\u2019ve done nothing to deserve. He also exercises such influence that even the unsaved person is enabled to extend kindness, show generosity, and perform good deeds.<\/p>\n

2. GOD RESTRAINS SIN.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Scripture records God directly intervening and restraining individuals from sinning (Gen. 20:1-6; 2 Thess. 2:3-7). And God continues to do that. If not, our world would spiral into total anarchy and lawlessness. But this kind of common grace is not exhaustive. Sin still abounds in our lives and world. And it\u2019s not applied the same for all people. God can also release His hand of grace, allowing the evil hearts of people to do as they please.<\/p>\n

3. GOD DEFERS JUDGMENT.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

In exercising common grace, God not only restrains sin, He also defers the wrathful judgment that sin deserves (Rom. 2:4; 2 Pet. 3:7-9). God has every right to bring immediate and total judgment upon the earth but instead exercises divine patience.<\/p>\n

4. GOD BLESSES THE EARTH.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Not only do we see God\u2019s common grace in the beauty of nature, we also see it in the way He abundantly blesses the earth and makes it habitable for us to live in (Ps. 65:9-10; 104:10-13).<\/p>\n

In what ways have you experienced or witnessed these four forms of common grace? Consider how you experienced common grace in your life before you came to Christ. Think about how you\u2019ve seen common grace displayed in the life of a loved one who doesn\u2019t know Jesus. Consider the ways you see God\u2019s common grace displayed in your community.<\/p>\n

I don\u2019t know what came to mind for you, but here are a few of the expressions of common grace I\u2019ve experienced.<\/p>\n