{Ministers of Christ} (hup(8872)etas Christou). Paul and all
ministers (diakonous) of the New Covenant ( 1Co 3:5 ) are
under-rowers, subordinate rowers of Christ, only here in Paul's
Epistles, though in the Gospels ( Lu 4:20  the attendant in the
synagogue) and the Acts ( Ac 13:5 ) of John Mark. The {so}
(hout(9373)) gathers up the preceding argument ( 3:5-23 ) and
applies it directly by the {as} (h(9373)) that follows. {Stewards
of the mysteries of God} (oikonomous must(8872)i(936e) theou). The
steward or house manager (oikos, house, 
em(935c), to manage, old
word) was a slave (doulos) under his lord (kurios,  Lu
12:42 ), but a master ( Lu 16:1 ) over the other slaves in the
house (menservants paidas, maidservants paidiskas  Lu
12:45 ), an overseer (epitropos) over the rest ( Mt 20:8 ).
Hence the under-rower (hup(8872)et(8873)) of Christ has a position of
great dignity as steward (oikonomos) of the mysteries of God.
Jesus had expressly explained that the mysteries of the kingdom
were open to the disciples ( Mt 13:11 ). They were entrusted with
the knowledge of some of God's secrets though the disciples were
not such apt pupils as they claimed to be ( Mt 13:51  16:8-12 ).
As stewards Paul and other ministers are entrusted with the
mysteries (see on 气Co 2:7| for this word) of God and are
expected to teach them. "The church is the oikos ( 1Ti 3:15 ),
God the oikodespot(8873) ( Mt 13:52 ), the members the oikeioi
( Ga 6:10  Eph 2:19 )" (Lightfoot). Paul had a vivid sense of the
dignity of this stewardship (oikonomia) of God given to him
( Col 1:25  Eph 1:10 ). The ministry is more than a mere
profession or trade. It is a calling from God for stewardship.