1 Peter 5 7

1 Peter 5:7 kjv

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

1 Peter 5:7 nkjv

casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

1 Peter 5:7 niv

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

1 Peter 5:7 esv

casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

1 Peter 5:7 nlt

Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

1 Peter 5 verses

1 Peter 5 7 Meaning

This verse is an exhortation to commit all worries, anxieties, and concerns completely to God, resting assured that He Himself cares deeply and personally for believers. It encourages a decisive act of transferring burdens from oneself to the Almighty, finding peace and liberation in His loving and attentive providence.

1 Peter 5 7 Context

First Peter 5:7 directly follows the command in 1 Peter 5:6 to "humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you." The casting of care is presented as a practical application and evidence of this humility and trust in God's sovereign timing and plan. It's set within a broader discussion for Christian living in the face of suffering and persecution (which is a major theme throughout 1 Peter). The preceding verses exhort elders and young men to humility, warning against pride and emphasizing God's opposition to the proud but grace for the humble. Therefore, casting cares is an act of spiritual humility and surrender to divine providence, allowing God to be God in all circumstances, especially in an era of external pressure and internal struggles for the scattered believers. The immediate verses following (1 Pet 5:8-9) warn about the devil, reinforcing that believers must be vigilant, resisting him by faith while entrusting their worries to God.

1 Peter 5 7 Word analysis

• Casting (ἐπιρίψαντες - epirhipsantes): This is an aorist participle, denoting a decisive, once-for-all, definitive action. It implies throwing or flinging something off with force and finality, like throwing a cloak from one's shoulders onto someone else. It's not a temporary relinquishment but a complete transfer of the burden.

• all (πᾶσαν - pasan): The Greek word means "all," "every," "the whole of." It is absolute and leaves no room for reservation or selection. It emphasizes that no single worry, big or small, should be held back.

• your (ὑμῶν - hymōn): Points to the personal possession of these "cares" by the believers, making the command specifically applicable to each individual's burdens.

• care (μέριμναν - merimnan): This refers to anxiety, worry, concern that divides or distracts the mind, making one anxious, distressed, or troubled. It signifies an undue concern, bordering on unhealthy worry about future events or circumstances that steal one's peace and focus.

• upon (ἐπί - epi): A preposition indicating direction, movement onto, or transfer to. It clarifies the recipient of the "casting."

• Him (αὐτόν - auton): Refers directly to God, whose mighty hand was mentioned in the preceding verse. The absolute pronoun "Him" here stresses God's uniqueness and sufficiency as the only proper recipient of our complete trust and worries.

• for (ὅτι - hoti): Introduces the reason, ground, or justification for the command. It signifies "because" or "since."

• He (αὐτῷ - autōi): Refers again to God, specifically emphasizing that it is He Himself.

• careth (μέλει - melei): This is an impersonal verb that means "it is a concern to him," or "he takes thought for." It indicates that something is of interest or concern to someone. When combined with "peri hymōn," it means "He is concerned about you," indicating a deep, personal interest and loving providence.

• for you (περὶ ὑμῶν - peri hymōn): Clarifies the direct object of God's concern—the believers themselves. It means "concerning you," highlighting God's personal attention and affectionate regard.

• Casting all your care: This phrase emphasizes the complete, definitive transfer of every single worry or anxiety from the believer's mind onto God. It's an active surrender of one's burdens rather than merely a passive acknowledgement.

• upon Him: Points to the exclusive and sufficient nature of God as the one capable of receiving and managing these cares. It is a trust placed specifically in His character, power, and wisdom.

• for He careth for you: Provides the divine motivation and assurance for the command. God's own character—His deep, personal, and abiding concern for His children—is the rock-solid foundation for our trust and ability to cast our burdens. This isn't just about managing burdens; it's about knowing God's heart for His people.

1 Peter 5 7 Bonus section

The active voice of "casting" highlights the believer's responsibility in the process of faith—it's something we must do, empowered by His Spirit, to transfer our anxieties to Him. This is not a passive waiting for worries to disappear, but a conscious, deliberate choice. Furthermore, the relationship between 1 Peter 5:6 and 1 Peter 5:7 is crucial: humility is the pathway to casting one's cares. A humble person recognizes their limitations and dependence on God, while a proud person often tries to shoulder all burdens themselves, fearing to let go or admit vulnerability. God's "mighty hand" (1 Pet 5:6) speaks not just of power to exalt, but also power to uphold and care for. This verse also implicitly offers an antidote to the very temptation Peter addresses next in 1 Peter 5:8 – worry, unchecked, can become a vulnerable point that the adversary, the devil, exploits to stir up doubt and fear. Casting all care is thus a spiritual defense.

1 Peter 5 7 Commentary

1 Peter 5:7 is a powerful invitation rooted in God's character and providence. It is not a suggestion but a directive, urging believers to completely divest themselves of all worry. The act of "casting" implies a definitive, one-time surrender, recognizing that holding onto anxieties is unproductive and demonstrates a lack of trust in God's sovereign control and loving disposition. The "care" referenced here is the anxiety that fragments the mind, distracting it from peace and purpose. The imperative is founded upon an irrefutable divine truth: God Himself genuinely "careth for you." This care is not a detached oversight but a personal, attentive, and deep concern for each believer, extending to the minutest details of their lives. Therefore, relinquishing control over worries is an act of humble faith, allowing God's peace to guard one's heart and mind instead of the mind being divided by worldly anxieties. It also stands in contrast to ancient philosophical attempts to achieve emotional tranquility through self-mastery or detachment; Christian peace comes through surrender to God's active, caring involvement. Practically, this involves specific prayer and a deliberate redirection of focus from the problem to the problem-solver. For example, when faced with an overwhelming financial concern, instead of endless rumination, one prays, hands it over to God, and consciously chooses to trust His provision; or, in times of uncertainty regarding a loved one's future, one releases the burden in prayer, resting in God's loving hand over their lives.