Biblica - Vol 89 (2008) Aletti, Jean-Noël, La soumission des chrétiens aux autorités en Rm 13,1-7. Validité des arguments pauliniens? (2008)

Rm 13,1-7 has been interpreted in many different ways, often incompatible. This article is an attempt to show that this passage cannot be understood without its immediate context and also that its aim is neither to work out a political doctrine, nor to ground the legitimacy of political power; nor does Paul push Christians to influence political life, but he urges them to overcome a possible attitude of fear and implicitly to extend their agape to all human beings. In doing so he innovates.