I am not writing this to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. For though you might have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers. Indeed, in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. (1Corinthians 4: 14-15)

Irony depends on shame - or at least embarrassment - to bring the individual to self-awareness.

Paul contrasts himself and Apollos with their followers in Corinth:

You have become filled, satisfied, even satiated. We are hungry, thirsty, and needy.

You are as kings, we toil working with our own hands and are reviled.

We are fools, you are phronimos or mindful of one's interests.

We are without honor - the Greek implies being outside time - while you are held in public esteem.

The important difference is not Paul or Apollos.

What is important is whether we bring pride or humility into our relationship with God and our community of faith.