📖 Biblical Definition
"Prevenient" (Latin praevenire, "to come before") is the Wesleyan-Arminian theological term for the grace of God that goes before conversion and enables a free human response to the gospel. Universal in scope, resistible by design, it is offered to every sinner and may be received or rejected. The Reformed reject the construct as insufficient to the biblical data. Scripture teaches an effectual call — the inward, sovereign, irresistible drawing of the elect to Christ: "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me" (John 6:37); "whom he called, them he also justified" (Romans 8:30). Prevenient grace makes salvation possible; effectual grace makes salvation actual. The difference is who gets the final glory — and Scripture gives it to God alone.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
Going before; Wesleyan grace that precedes faith.
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Going before; especially in Arminian-Wesleyan theology, the grace of God which precedes any human response and partially restores ability to respond to the gospel — universal but resistible. The Reformed alternative is the effectual call which is particular and irresistible.
📖 Key Scripture
John 1:9 — "That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world."
Titus 2:11 — "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men."
Romans 2:4 — "The goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Inflated by some Arminians to do what only the effectual call can do — actually save.
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Prevenient grace is real — God works in every soul before they come. The disagreement is whether that working merely enables response or actually secures it. Wesley says enables; Calvin says (in the elect) secures. Both confess prior grace; the question is its strength.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Latin praevenire — come before.
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['Latin', '—', 'praevenire', 'to come before']
['Greek', 'G4399', 'prophthanō', 'anticipate']
Usage
"Prevenient grace prepares the heart."
"Wesleyans confess it; Reformed confess effectual call."