In chapter 4, Paul reasserts control over the church. The chapter concludes with Paul saying that he is sending Timothy to mentor the church. Paul also plans to return to Corinth if God wills this.
The sending of Timothy to Corinth might indicate that Apollos is being replaced. Alternatively, Timothy might arrive and find Apollos doing well as a teacher. Either way, Paul's second hand man going to Corinth is a reassertion of Paul's authority over the church. But it is not the same thing as the church planter himself coming, so the Corinthians will have to get used to Paul not being there, but this is the next best option.
In this chapter, Paul also talks about the cost of Apostleship. Apostles are made fools, slandered, and live on the margins of society in contrast to the more comfortable lives of the lay members. As he begins this, it almost seems like Paul is calling Apollos an Apostle, which would mean the word "Apostle" is analogous to "church leader".
Alternatively, Paul might actually be distinguishing himself as Apostle from Apollos, church leader. If Apollos had a comfortable life, in contrast to the difficulties that Paul had, this would distinguish Paul as Apostle over Apollos. lThus, Paul is reasserting the hierarchy of the church, which was at stake with this church division.
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