Paul Is a Paulist, I'm a Christist, and I Am a Client of Christ. And the Patron Client System Was Very, Very Hierarchical

First Corinthians one to four has to do with a very secular view of status and honor. Paul just wants to pull the rug out from underneath that view of leadership. Another letter where Paul does this is the Philippian letter. Joe Hellerman has done some really interesting stuff on the implications of what Paul says in Philippians.