The saving, regenerating, sanctifying grace given by God only to His elect — distinguished from common grace, which is shown to all humanity (the sun rising on the just and the unjust, the rain falling on the righteous and the unrighteous, Matt 5:45). Special grace is the grace that actually saves: regenerating the dead heart (Eph 2:1-5), justifying the ungodly (Rom 4:5), sanctifying the believer over a lifetime, finally glorifying him at Christ's return. Ephesians 2:8-9 is the locus classicus: For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. 2 Timothy 1:9: Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began. Special grace is given in eternity (election), applied in time (effectual calling, regeneration, faith, justification, sanctification), and consummated in glory (glorification). Together with common grace, it accounts for everything good in God's relations with humanity.