Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

Introduction. Authorship -- Paul's ministry in Galatia -- The pastoral challenge in Galatia -- The "Good News" according to the rival teachers -- Who were the Galatian Christians? -- Galatians in Roman geography and Pauline chronology -- The date of Galatians -- Galatians as persuasive communication -- Was Galatians effective? -- Text and commentary. Paul's opening greeting (1:1-5) -- Paul announces the presenting problem (1:6-10) -- Strategic recollections (1:11-2:21) -- Arguments against adopting Torah observance (3:1-4:11) -- A relational appeal (4:12-20) -- A scriptural coup de grâce (4:21-31) -- Paul's principal advice (5:1-12) -- Spirit-empowered righteousness (5:13-6:10) -- Paul's parting shots and affirmations (6:11-18).

Despite its relative brevity, Paul's letter to the Galatians raises a number of foundational theological issues, and it has played a vital role in shaping Christian thought and practice over the centuries. In this replacement NICNT volume on Galatians, David deSilva provides a coherent account of the letter as a piece of strategically crafted communication that addresses both the immediate pastoral challenges facing Paul's converts in Galatia and the underlying questions that gave rise to them. Paying careful attention to the history, philology, and theology of the letter and interacting with a wealth of secondary literature on both Galatians and the rest of the Pauline corpus, deSilva's exegetically sound commentary will be an essential resource for pastors and theological students.--Publisher's description.