Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.
A man - every man.
Account of us - Paul and Apollos, and all duly-called teachers.
Ministers of Christ - not heads of the Church in whom we are to glory: the headship belongs to Christ alone; we are but His servants ministering to you (1 Corinthians 1:12-13; 1 Corinthians 3:5; 1 Corinthians 3:22).
Stewards (Luke 12:42; 1 Peter 4:10) - not the depositaries, but dispensers of the grace given us ("rightly dividing," or dispensing it) to others. The chaazaan, or overseer, in the synagogue corresponded to the bishop or "angel" of the church. He called seven of the synagogue to read the law every Sabbath, and oversaw them. The Parnasin of the synagogue, like the ancient 'deacon' of the church, took care of the poor (Acts 6:1-15), and subsequently preached in subordination to the presbyter or bishop, as Stephen did. The Church is not the appendage to the priesthood; but the minister is God's steward to the Church. Man shrinks from close contact with God: hence, he puts a priesthood between, and serve God by deputy. The minister's office is to "preach" (literally, proclaim as a herald Matthew 10:27) "the mysteries of God," so far as they have been revealed, if his hearers will receive them. Josephus says the Jewish religion made known to all the people the mysteries of their religion, while the Pagans concealed theirs from all but the 'initiated' few.