Not To Be Confused With
Common grace is given to ALL and does not save; saving (special) grace redeems. The distinction guards both God's universal kindness (Matt 5:45) and the necessity of special grace for salvation.
Developed especially in the Reformed tradition (Kuyper), common grace explains why unbelievers do genuine good, make true discoveries, and build just societies: God is generous to all his creatures, restraining sin and granting gifts, even where there is no saving faith. It honors culture without confusing it with redemption.