1 Peter 5:7 Text
King James Version (KJV)
Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
World English Bible (WEB)
casting all your worries on him, because he cares for you.
What 1 Peter 5:7 Means
Peter gives a two-part instruction with its reason built in. The first part is to cast all your anxieties on God, and the verb pictures throwing a heavy load onto something stronger, like setting a heavy pack down on something stronger. The word translated care in the KJV and worries in the WEB means the kind of anxious thought that pulls the mind in several directions. The word all matters: not just the large fears, but the small, nagging ones as well. The second part gives the reason, which is that God cares for you. The verse does not say the problems vanish or that feeling worried is a failure. It says you are invited to hand them over because you are personally valued, and care here means that God takes a real interest in your situation.
Context of 1 Peter 5:7
The letter is traditionally attributed to the apostle Peter and was written to scattered Christians in what is now Turkey who faced social pressure and suffering for their faith. Peter urges them to stay humble and alert. This verse follows his call to humble yourselves under God's mighty hand, and it is followed by a warning to stay watchful because the devil prowls like a lion. To read the whole book, see random verse from 1 Peter.
How to Apply 1 Peter 5:7
When worry loops in your mind, try naming each concern to God one by one, almost like a list, and then do the next small task in front of you. You may need to repeat this several times a day. The verse describes a habit of handing things over, not a single moment that ends all anxiety.
Related Verses
- Philippians 4:6-7 – Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
- Psalm 55:22 – Cast thy burden upon the LORD , and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
- Matthew 6:25-27 – Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
- Psalm 94:19 – In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.
Looking for more verses on this theme? Browse Bible Verses About Peace, each with a short note on its context.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does casting your cares on God mean?
It means handing your worries to God in prayer instead of carrying them alone. The image is of throwing a burden onto someone stronger. It does not mean ignoring problems; it means trusting God with what you cannot control.
Does 1 Peter 5:7 mean Christians should never feel anxious?
No. Peter assumes his readers do feel anxiety and tells them what to do with it. The verse offers a remedy, not a rebuke. Feeling anxious is human; the invitation is to bring it to God, who is described as caring about you.
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