1 Peter 5:7Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Then, in order to remove the fear that arises with humility, he says: Do not fear, but cast all your care upon the Lord, for He cares, that is, He is concerned for all these things.

There are different kinds of prayer. It is one thing to pray to God with an undistracted mind, and another to stand at prayer in body while being distracted in thought. Likewise, it is one thing to choose a time and, after finishing worldly conversations and tasks, to pray. It is another, as far as possible, to prefer prayer and set it before all worldly cares. As blessed Peter says: “Be sober-minded and watchful in prayers” (1 Pet 4:7), and “cast all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Pet 5:7).

Have God as your helmsman and charioteer, and depend upon His providence. In this way you will remain unshaken and undisturbed.

God wants one thing from us: that we know and acknowledge our poverty, humble ourselves before Him, and walk and live in humility. Then He Himself will lead us to our blessedness.

The apostle wrote of this: Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time. Cast all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you (1 Pet 5:6-7).

Our God is the almighty God, who makes all things out of nothing (2 Macc 7:28). We see what most glorious works He has made: heaven and earth and all that is in them (Ps 145:6).

Thus, when someone knows and acknowledges himself to be nothing, God makes something out of this nothing. He makes something good: a wise, pious, virtuous, and holy man. God makes only what is good, since He Himself is good.

Humility is indicated as the most important weapon against the present grievous but passing circumstances, which will be resolved in the triumph of Christianity. Therefore the apostle advises them to cast all their care upon the Provider.

They must not grow despondent or give themselves over to moral slackness and carelessness. For the ancient enemy, who takes different forms at different times, is now bringing terror upon Christians.

Like a hungry, or rather enraged, lion, he is always seeking victims for himself. He seeks those who lag behind the flock of God because of the carelessness of pastors or because of the error of individual sheep.