Because Paul was given many deep revelations by the Lord, He was also given a thorn in the flesh as God’s way to keep him humble, lest the greatness of God’s revelations would make him proud to cause his fall.

Pride leads to disgrace, while humility, which depicts a submissive, modest spirit before both God and man, leads to or accompanies wisdom. Proverbs 13:10 contrasts pride and wisdom. The word for “pride” (zadon, for arrogance) is from the verb zid to mean “to boil up” (as in cooking), and sounds much like the Hebrew word for disgrace (qalon). Pride leads to one’s downfall (see Proverbs 18:12; 29:23). Pride is so despicable so that a person should wisely avoid it even if it would mean being economically oppressed. For example, to share plunder acquired by violent or dishonest means with the proud will not go unpunished. The reverse effects of pride and humility warn against the one and encourage the other. Ironically, pride by which a person seeks to elevate himself, actually results in his being brought low, whereas one who is of lowly spirit is elevated by others to a position of honour (cf. Prov. 3:34, 15:33, 16:18-19, 18:12). God hates pride because it would influence a person to forget God’s provisions and graces and to live independently of Him so as to play God as if he is Divine Providence personified.

So, the disciples of Christ are admonished in