God forbid. And if I build again the same things which I demolished, I shew myself a transgressor: for I through the law am dead to the law,

They shew a zeal for you, not honourably, but wish, to shut you out, in order that ye may be zealous for, them.

This is allegorically speaking, for these women are two covenants: one proceeding from Mount Sinai bearing children who are to be slaves; she is Hagar.

Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to present-day Jerusalem, because she is in slavery along with her children.

But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother.

For it is written, "Rejoice thou barren, that bearest no children: break forth and cry, thou that travailest not. For the desolate hath many more children, than she which hath a husband."

As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.