This contribution - organized in two parts - focuses on Romans 13. The overall aim is to look more closely at the 'Jewish Paul' in the broader dimension of the Imperium Romanum. It is expected to highlight the dialogue between the two perspectives that coexist in the figure of the historical Paul: that is, the perspective 'within Judaism' and that 'within the Roman Empire'. The innovative aspect of this proposal lies precisely in the reference to a Paul more settled 'within the Roman Empire', while also insisting on the strong concept of theocracy due to his roots 'within Judaism'. The first part will examine the question of Paul's Roman citizenship and its political and social significance in the imperial context, taking into account his birth and cultural background, at the crossroads between the Jewish and Greek worlds within the Empire. The second part of the presentation will be dedicated to the study of Romans 13, the relationship between divine law and political imperial authority, with a view to supporting a 'Pauline policy' of legitimation for Rome's current rule. This legitimacy, however, derives from a prior and necessary approval, exclusively of a transcendent nature. The projection in this sense is theocratic; it is God's higher government that justifies the Rome's temporary dominant existence. However, this opens up to the universalism of divine law in the Jewish tradition, which then becomes an integral part of the Empire and naturally embraces the Christian message in Paul's communication to the οἰκουμένη. Therefore, this contribution will focus on the meaning of ἐξουσία and the compound expression ἐξουσία εἰ μὴ ὑπὸ θεοῦ, as well as on the specific terminology that emerges from Romans 13 (e.g. v. 7 ἀπόδοτε ; ὀφειλάς ; φόρον), also seeking comparisons in other examples from the New Testament context in which it appears.