In this study, the author analyses 1 Cor 4,1-5 within the larger context of 1 Corinthians 1-4. The study is an exegetico-theological analysis of two important metaphorical predicates that Paul uses for Apollos and himself to describe their role among the Corinthians: assistants of Christ and administrators of God’s mysteries (1 Cor 4,1). Focussing on pragmatic considerations, the author answers the following questions: Was Paul individualistic in his understanding of the role of the preachers in Corinth? Did he deny the role of other preachers such as Apollos in the Christian community of Corinth? What was his understanding of his own role? What are the characteristics of the proclamation of the gospel and of the preachers?

The Author: Arul Samy Kaspar hails from the state of Tamil Nadu (India). He joined the Holy Spirit Fathers in 1988 and was ordained in 1999. He studied Philosophy at Vijnananilayam, Institute of Philosophy and Religion in Eluru from 1991 to 1994 and Theology at the Pontificial Institute of Philosophy and Religion (JDV) in Pune (India) from 1995 to 1998. He also holds the degree of a Bachelor of Arts from Andhra University in Waltair (India). After his ordination, he went on to do doctoral studies in New Testament at the Philosophisch-Theologische Hochschule Sankt Georgen in Frankfurt am Main from 2000 to 2004, where he obtained a Doctoral degree.