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?