Man. — In a generic sense means “every one” (as in 1 Corinthians 11:28, and Galatians 6:1).
Us — i.e., Paul himself and Apollos.
As of the ministers of Christ. — Better, as ministers of Christ. The word used for “ministers” here expresses more strongly the idea of subordination than the word which occurs in 1 Corinthians 3:5. It implies not only those who are under one superior, but those who are in a still inferior position — the officer who has to obey orders, as in Matthew 5:25 — a “servant” (Matthew 26:58). Though servants, their office is one of great trust; they are “stewards” to whom the owner of the house has entrusted the care of those sacred things — “mysteries” — which heretofore have been hidden, but are now made known to them, his faithful subordinates. It is to be remembered that even the steward in a Greek household was generally a slave.