Paul uses a little sarcasm here to make a point! What church grows and “arrives” without leadership. If anything, he is pointing out that the lack of submission to leadership is keeping them immature!

So while leaders should not be made out to be something they aren’t (like a Savior), God did give leaders to help His body mature. He sends Timothy to them to encourage and point them in the right direction. He also tells them to shape up or he will come to set things straight! Paul seems a little more intense than we would expect a leader to be today. That is an interesting thought!