BiAS 7 – The Bible and Politics in Africa
made possible flourishing travel in two very practical ways: the brigand-
age on land piracy on sea at minimum, and the imperial government
took responsibility for a road system throughout its regions. By the time
of Claudius, the emperor was taking charge, through his proculators, of
road repair throughout the empire, even in senatorial provinces and
some of these roads were still used even in the 20th century. (Haw-
throne 1993:722) There is no doubt that Paul benefited from the mobil-
ity which was facilitated by the Roman empire especially in his mission-
ary endeavours in and around the Mediterranean world both on road
and through his successful voyages. In which case therefore, he viewed
the Roman government as ordained by God and not as a threat to hu-
manity hence she has to be obeyed by all citizens (Rom 13:1ff). Fur-
thermore, Paul enjoyed justice ushered by the Roman judicial system.
For instance, Roman magistrates like Gallio protected him from riotous
Jews who were after his life and ministry (Acts 18:12-17; 21:27-40; 23:12-
24) Hence as he wrote Rom 13:1-7 he exonerated the state by prescribing
Christians to unconditionally obey it.
Another school of thought suggests that Paul knew the ugly Jewish ex-
perience following the effects of the Claudius’ edict of AD 49, hence he
wrote this passage (Rom 13:1-7) to warn or correct an impression that
Christians could have towards the government so that they would not be
involved in a repetition of such insurrection (Buttrick 1954:599). Cou-
pled with this past experience was an increased turmoil in Palestine over
tax protests in AD 56 (Tacitus Ann. 13:50-51). Following this background
Paul probably wrote this controversial passage to persuade Roman
Christians not to be associated with these tax protests. Moreover, Paul
may have had in mind the zealots of his own day and warns that any
agitator who forgets that, those who resist will incur judgement. (Bornk-
amm 1986:212 )
Apocalyptic notion behind Romans 13:1-7
Bornkamm (:212) and others are of the opinion that Paul was apocalyptic
inspired when he wrote Rom 13:1-7. He derived this view from Paul’s
statement in Rom 13:11 which states that: “For salvation is nearer than
we first believed...” This verse shows that Paul’s mind was highly apoca-
lyptic in nature and perceived that the time and the hour of the ap-
proaching day (eschaton) is imminent. With this supposition Christians
should not be preoccupied with the worldly matters but focus on the