"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."
— 1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)
1 Peter 5:7 is one of the verses people turn to most when they are worried. This page gives the verse, the passage around it, and a plain reading. For more verses on the theme, see Bible verses about anxiety and Bible verses about worry. For the apostle who wrote it, see Bible verses about Peter.
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The verse
1 Peter 5:7 (NIV) reads: "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."
The King James says, "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." The Greek verb for "cast" is epiriptō (G1977), to throw something onto someone. The word for "anxiety" (KJV "care") is merimna (G3308), meaning worry or anxious care.
The passage around it
Peter wrote this letter to "God's elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia" (1 Peter 1:1). They were suffering for their faith, and he told them, "do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you" (1 Peter 4:12).
Verse 7 follows straight on from verse 6: "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time." In Greek, "cast" is a participle that hangs on "humble yourselves," which is why the KJV reads "casting." Verse 8 then warns, "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."
What the verse is saying
Handing your worries to God is part of humbling yourself before him. Pride says you have to carry everything yourself. Humility lets God carry it. The reason is short and personal: "because he cares for you."
The verse does not say troubles will stop. Peter's readers were still suffering. It says you do not have to hold the weight alone. For more on that, see Bible verses about humility and Bible verses about prayer.
Questions people ask
What does 1 Peter 5:7 say?
In the NIV it says, "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." The KJV says, "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you."
What does cast all your anxiety on him mean?
The Greek verb means to throw something onto someone. Peter is telling his readers to hand their worries over to God rather than carry them alone, because he cares for them.
What is the context of 1 Peter 5:7?
Peter is writing to suffering believers. Verse 6 says, "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time," and verse 7 tells them how: by casting their anxiety on him.
Who wrote 1 Peter 5:7?
The letter opens, "Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 1:1). See Bible verses about Peter.
What verse goes well with 1 Peter 5:7?
Psalm 55:22 says, "Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you." Philippians 4:13 speaks of Christ's strength in every situation, and Isaiah 41:10 says, "So do not fear, for I am with you."
