Casting Cares Upon God in 1 Peter 5:7
First Peter 5:7, in the King James Version, states, "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you" [1]. This verse encourages believers to release their anxieties to God, assuring them of His concern for their well-being.
This instruction appears within Peter's broader exhortation to humility and submission, particularly in the context of suffering and persecution [3, 5]. The preceding verse, 1 Peter 5:6, calls for believers to humble themselves under God's mighty hand, promising exaltation in due time [3]. The act of "casting all your care upon him" is presented as a direct benefit and consequence of this humble submission [3].
The Greek word translated "casting" (ἀπορρίπτω, aporriptō) implies a decisive, once-for-all action [3]. The term "care" (μέριμνα, merimna) refers to anxiety or worry, while the subsequent "careth" (μέλει, melei) is a less intense word, signifying God's concern or regard [3]. This distinction highlights that while human "care" can be burdensome anxiety, God's "care" is a benevolent watchfulness [3].
Commentators often link this verse to Old Testament passages, particularly Psalm 55:22, which states, "Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee" [2, 4]. The Septuagint translation of Psalm 55:22 uses language similar to 1 Peter 5:7, rendering it as "cast thy care upon the Lord" [2]. Other cross-references include Psalm 37:5 and Luke 12:22, 37, which also address reliance on God for daily needs and freedom from anxiety [3]. John Gill notes that this casting of care includes both the concerns of daily life and the spiritual well-being of the soul [2].
Theological interpretations emphasize that this command does not discourage diligent effort but rather anxious worry [2]. John Calvin, in his Institutes of the Christian Religion, connects this concept to God's protective nature, citing verses like Psalm 91:1 and Isaiah 26:1, which speak of dwelling under God's shadow and finding Him a strong city [4]. The passage functions as a foundational text for understanding divine providence and the believer's trust in God's active involvement in their lives [2, 3].
Sources
- King James Version “[KJV] 1 Peter 5:7 — Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”
- 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”
- 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”
- 1 Peter (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Peter 3:1: 3:1-7 The last of Peter’s three exhortations about accepting authority (2:13–3:7) concerns wives and husbands (cp. Eph 5:21-33; Col 3:18-19). 3:1 accept the authority of (literally submit to): Wives are instructed to acknowledge that God has appointed the husband as head of the relationship (see 2:13; Eph 5:22-25). Submission in the ancient world took the form of obedience (see 1 Pet 3:6). God also intends the husband to be a loving and respectful head (3:7; see Eph 5:25-30). However, Peter focuses especially on wives with pagan husbands who would potentially be h”