Cast all your anxiety on HimThis phrase encourages believers to actively transfer their worries and concerns to God. The term "cast" implies a decisive action, similar to throwing a burden onto someone else. In the context of 1 Peter, the early Christians faced persecution and trials, making this instruction particularly relevant. The act of casting one's anxiety is an expression of trust and faith in God's sovereignty and care. This concept is echoed in
Psalm 55:22, which also advises believers to cast their burdens on the Lord. The imagery of casting suggests a complete release, indicating that believers should not hold onto their anxieties but fully entrust them to God.
because He cares for you
This phrase reassures believers of God's personal and attentive care. The assurance of God's care is a central theme throughout Scripture, seen in passages likeMatthew 6:25-34, where Jesus teaches about God's provision for His creation. The use of "cares" indicates a deep, ongoing concern and involvement in the lives of believers. This care is not passive but active, as God is portrayed as a loving Father who is intimately aware of and involved in the needs of His children. The promise of God's care is a source of comfort and strength, encouraging believers to rely on Him in times of trouble. This reflects the character of God as seen throughout the Bible, where His faithfulness and love are consistently demonstrated.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
PeterThe author of the epistle, one of Jesus' twelve apostles, known for his leadership in the early church and his close relationship with Jesus.
2.
The RecipientsEarly Christians scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, facing persecution and trials.
3.
GodThe central figure to whom believers are encouraged to cast their anxieties, emphasizing His care and sovereignty.
Teaching Points
Understanding CastThe Greek word for "cast" (epiript?) implies a decisive action of throwing or placing something upon another. Believers are encouraged to actively and intentionally place their worries on God.
God's CareThe phrase "He cares for you" underscores God's personal and attentive concern for each believer. This is not a distant or abstract care but a profound, intimate involvement in our lives.
Trust in God's SovereigntyRecognizing God's control over all circumstances allows believers to release their anxieties, trusting that He is both willing and able to handle them.
Practical Steps to Cast AnxietiesEngage in prayer, meditate on God's promises, and practice gratitude to shift focus from worries to God's faithfulness.
Community SupportEncourage sharing burdens within the Christian community, as mutual support and prayer can help in casting anxieties on God.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of 1 Peter 5:7?
2.How can we practically "cast all your anxiety" on God daily?
3.What does it mean that God "cares for you" in 1 Peter 5:7?
4.How does Philippians 4:6-7 relate to 1 Peter 5:7's message?
5.Why is trusting God's care essential for overcoming anxiety and worry?
6.How can you encourage others to trust God's care in their struggles?
7.What does "casting all your anxiety on Him" mean in 1 Peter 5:7?
8.How does 1 Peter 5:7 relate to trusting God in difficult times?
9.Why is it important to believe God cares for us, as stated in 1 Peter 5:7?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Peter 5?
11.What are the Four Noble Truths of Buddhism?
12.What does "Let Go and Let God" mean?
13.Why not cast all your cares on Him?
14.Why not cast all your cares on Him?What Does 1 Peter 5:7 Mean
Cast- The verse opens with a clear command: “Cast.” It is an intentional, decisive action, not a suggestion.Psalm 55:22 also says, “Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you,” showing that God has long invited His people to unload their cares onto Him.
- “Cast” is tied to the humility mentioned one verse earlier (1 Peter 5:6). When we bow under God’s mighty hand, we are freed to fling every worry onto His mighty shoulders.
- Obedience here is active: instead of nursing fears, we purposefully hand them over. Like fishermen hurling nets, we toss every concern out of our own grasp and into His.
all your anxiety- “All” leaves out nothing—big, small, chronic, or sudden.Philippians 4:6 urges, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything… present your requests to God.”
- Jesus echoed this inMatthew 6:25–34, repeatedly saying “Do not worry,” covering food, drink, clothing, and tomorrow itself.
- Practical application:
• Financial pressures
• Health uncertainties
• Family conflicts
• Future decisions
Each belongs in the “all” that He commands us to surrender.
on Him- The direction of the casting matters. We do not cast into thin air or onto other people; we place every care “on Him.”Psalm 37:5 instructs, “Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him, and He will do it.”
- Trust requires relocating the weight from self to Savior.Proverbs 3:5-6 guides us to lean not on our own understanding but on the Lord who makes paths straight.
- Relationship is central: the One who receives our cares also guides our steps, guards our hearts, and governs the outcome.
because He cares for you- The motivation is personal: “He cares for you.” Our anxiety finds rest in the certainty of His affection.Isaiah 46:4 promises, “I will carry you and save you.”
- The Good Shepherd theme runs through Scripture—John 10:11: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” If He laid down His life, He surely watches over daily concerns (Romans 8:32).
- His care is constant and unfailing.Hebrews 13:5 reminds us, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” The invisible God becomes tangibly near when we entrust Him with our worries.
summary1 Peter 5:7 calls believers to an active transfer of every worry onto the Lord. We cast—decisively and completely—every anxiety on Him, confident that His loving, personal care outweighs every burden. Trusting His character frees our hearts from the grip of fear and places our lives securely in His faithful hands.
(7)
Casting all your care upon him.--An adaptation of
Psalm 55:22, according to the LXX. Anxiety implies not only some distrust of God's providence, but also some kind of belief that we may be able to manage better for ourselves; therefore here, as in the Sermon on the Mount, we are exhorted, especially in time of danger, simply to do what we know we ought to do, and to be unheeding about the rest.
"Lord, it belongs not to my care
Whether I die or live."
The confidence cannot be misplaced, for God is not forgetful of us. The play of words in the English does not represent anything in the original, where the two words for "care" are quite different.
Verse 7. -
Casting all your care upon him; rather,
all your anxietyμέριμνα. St. Peter is quoting, with slight alterations, the Septuagint Version of
Psalm 55:22. We cast our anxiety upon God when we fulfill the Lord's commandment, "Take no thought [rather, 'be not anxious'], saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? For your heavenly Fat. her knoweth that ye have need of all these things." God cares for us; therefore we must not be over-anxious, but trust in him. The participle is aorist, as if implying that we are to cast the whole burden of all our anxieties
πᾶσαν τὴν μέριμναν ὑμῶν by one act of faith upon the Lord.
For he careth for you. The Greek word is
μέλει, quite different from the
μέριμνα of the foregoing clause. The care which is forbidden is that anxiety about worldly things which harasses a man and distracts his mind, so that he cannot compose himself to prayer and holy meditation. God's care for us is calm, holy, thoughtful providence. He "knoweth that we have need of all these things;" and he maketh all things work together for good to his chosen, to them that love him.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
Castἐπιρίψαντες(epiripsantes)Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1977:To throw (cast) (upon), as of cares. From epi and rhipto; to throw upon.allπᾶσαν(pasan)Adjective - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3956:All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.yourὑμῶν(hymōn)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771:You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.anxietyμέριμναν(merimnan)Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3308:Care, worry, anxiety. From merizo; solicitude.onἐπ’(ep’)Preposition
Strong's 1909:On, to, against, on the basis of, at.Him,αὐτόν(auton)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.becauseὅτι(hoti)Conjunction
Strong's 3754:Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.Heαὐτῷ(autō)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.caresμέλει(melei)Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3199:It is a care, it is an object of anxiety, it concerns. A primary verb; to be of interest to, i.e. To concern.forπερὶ(peri)Preposition
Strong's 4012:From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time.you.ὑμῶν(hymōn)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771:You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.
Links
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NT Letters: 1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your worries on him because (1 Pet. 1P iP i Pet)