A Study of Romans 13:1-7 in the Context of Nigerian Polity

Abstract

This study examines the synergetic activities between religion and civil society’s organizations in addressing issues in Nigerian polity using the exhortation of Paul to the Roman Christians in Romans 13:1-7 his epistle to the century Christians. Generally, Romans 13:1-7 is known for its teachings regarding the cooperation the citizenry needs to accord civil rulers by the former’s willingness to submit to the constituted authorities. This study, however, treated the question as to the limitation of this overemphasized overblown submission to the governing powers in any democratic dispensation away from the imperial societies of Paul’s time. Basically, the selected text was exegeted in the course of the study which the seven verses of the pericope were analytically appraised in the context of the study. The result of the exegesis was used to treat salient issues in the Nigerian polity from two different perspectives viz., the civil society and the pericope as well as the Nigerian government and the civil society organizations. The study unveiled with dismay the uncordial relationship the present administration has consistently had with civil organizations in the Nigerian society contrary to what the experience has been from the inception of the country and regrets as well as decries the pathetic aftermath of such. The work concludes that such an undemocratic attitude on the part of the present administration is highly frowned upon and recommends that the Church and civil organization societies need to disallow such to dissuade them in their synergetic efforts to enforce good governance in the country. Keywords: Religion, Civil Society, Christian ethics, Nigerian Polity