In this chapter we shall investigate: • the circumstances leading to the writing of the letter; • the structure of Paul’s argument; • the way in which Paul develops his argument; • the success or otherwise of the letter. We shall also have to discuss matters that are less important for understanding the contents of the letter but are of interest to historians: • just who were the ‘Galatians’? • was this Paul’s first extant letter, or should we place it later?