Biblical Meaning Of Casting Cares Upon God
The Greek phrase ἐπιρίψαντες τὴν μέριμναν ὑμῶν (epiripsantes tēn merimnan hymōn) in 1 Peter 5:7 is translated as "casting all your care upon him" [1]. The verb ἐπιρίψαντες (epiripsantes) is an aorist participle, suggesting a once-for-all action of casting care upon God [6].
The word μέριμνα (merimna), translated as "care" or "anxiety", refers to distracting or burdensome concerns. In the context of 1 Peter 5:7, it encompasses both spiritual and temporal worries [5]. According to Adam Clarke, this care includes "your anxiety, your distracting care" about things that interest a follower of God, whether great or small [5].
The exhortation to cast care upon God is rooted in the understanding that He cares for believers. The phrase "for he careth for you" (ὅτι αὐτῷ μέλει περὶ ὑμῶν) indicates God's active concern for the well-being of His people [1]. This concept is echoed in Psalm 55:22, where the psalmist encourages trust in God's providence, saying "cast thy burden upon the Lord" [4].
The idea of casting care upon God is not about avoiding responsibilities, but about trusting in His sovereignty and providence. John Calvin notes that believers should cast their burdens upon God, citing Psalm 55:22 and 1 Peter 5:7 as examples of this trust [7]. This trust is not passive; it involves the diligent use of means while relying on God's care [3].
In the broader biblical context, the concept of casting care upon God is linked to the theme of God's providence. Easton's Bible Dictionary defines providence as God's "preserving and governing all things by means of second causes" [2]. This understanding of providence underlies the exhortation to trust God with one's cares.
The patristic tradition also emphasizes the importance of trusting God with one's concerns. Augustine's exposition on Psalms highlights the need to turn to God in times of trouble, acknowledging His care for believers [8].
The practice of casting care upon God is thus a manifestation of faith in His providence and care. It involves recognizing God's sovereignty over all aspects of life and trusting in His goodness, even in the face of uncertainty or adversity [6].
Sources
- I Peter “I Peter 5:7 (Webster) — Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Providence — Literally means foresight, but is generally used to denote God's preserving and governing all things by means of second causes (Ps. 18:35; 63:8; Acts 17:28; Col. 1:17; Heb. 1:3). God's providence extends to the natural world (Ps. 104:14; 135:5-7; Acts 14:17), the brute creation (Ps. 104:21-29; Matt. 6:26; 10:29), and the affairs of men (1 Chr. 16:31; Ps. 47:7; Prov. 21:1; Job 12:23; Dan. 2:21; 4:25), and of individuals (1 Sam. 2:6; Ps. 18:30; Luke 1:53; James 4:13-15). It extends also to the free actions of men (Ex. 12:36; 1 Sam. 24:9-15; Ps. 33:14, 15; ”
- 1 Peter (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Peter 5:7: Casting all your care upon him,.... "Upon God": as the Syriac and Ethiopic versions read. The words are taken out of, or at least refer to Psa 55:22, where, instead of "cast thy burden upon the Lord", the Septuagint have it, "cast thy care upon the Lord"; the care of the body, and of all the affairs of life, concerning which saints should not be anxiously thoughtful, but depend upon the providence of God, though in the diligent use of means, which is not forbidden, nor discouraged by this, or any such like exhortation; as also the care of the soul, and the spiritual a”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 55:21: Cast thy burden upon the Lord,.... These are either the words of the Holy Ghost to David, according to Jarchi; or of David to his own soul in distress, and may be directed to any good man in like circumstances. The word rendered "burden" signifies a gift and so the words are translated by many, "cast thy gift upon the Lord" (f); what he has given in a way of providence and of grace, acknowledge him to be the author of it; pray for a continuance of mercies, and for fresh supplies, and expect them; and also what he gives in a way of trial, the cross, with all afflictio”
- 1 Peter (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Peter 5:7: Casting all your care - Την μεριμναν· Your anxiety, your distracting care, on him, for he careth for you, ὁτι αυτω μελει περι ὑμων, for he meddles or concerns himself, with the things that interest you. Whatever things concern a follower of God, whether they be spiritual or temporal, or whether in themselves great or small, God concerns himself with them; what affects them affects him; in all their afflictions he is afflicted. He who knows that God cares for him, need have no anxious cares about himself. This is a plain reference to Psa 55:22 : Cast thy burden upo”
- 1 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Peter 5:7: Casting--once for all: so the Greek aorist. care--"anxiety? The advantage flowing from humbling ourselves under God's hand (Pe1 5:6) is confident reliance on His goodness. Exemption from care goes along with humble submission to God. careth for you--literally "respecting you." Care is a burden which faith casts off the man on his God. Compare Psa 22:10; Psa 37:5; Psa 55:22, to which Peter alludes; Luk 12:22, Luk 12:37; Phi 4:6. careth--not so strong a Greek word as the previous Greek "anxiety."”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 33: ; Ps. 91:1 ; Zech. 2:8 ; Isaiah 26:1 ; 29:15 “Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.” “Casting all your care upon him: for he careth for you.” “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High, shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” “He that toucheth you, toucheth the apple of mine eye.” “We have a strong city: salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks.” “Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of he”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 8: Augustine — Exposition on Psalms — PSALM LI.[10] (part 13): doing what? "But the countenance of the Lord is upon men doing evil things, that He may destroy from the earth the remembrance of them: "[8] He shall destroy the remembrance of them,[9] not by "blotling out their sins." But here he doth ask what? "Turn away Thy face from my sins." Well he asketh. For he himself doth not turn away his face from his own sins, saying, "For my sin I acknowledge." With reason thou askest and well askest, that God turn away from thy sin, if thou from thence dost not turn away thy face: but if t”