They were necessary for the church's security, essential to preserving the faith delivered once and for all to the saints. Paul did not relish controversy. He was not spoiling for a fight. He had no desire to make a name for himself understood that the war with wickedness would be lost if brethren became belligerent, embroiling the church in silly squabbles over stupid questions. He knew factious men in positions of authority threatened the existence of the church.
Every generation produces men with more ego than ability who covet power.
If they possess it, great harm results from their abusiveness. They embroil the church in an endless series of asinine conflicts. Cretan churches were threatened by foolish bickering. They were not alone. Congregations were more acutely threatened by senseless controversies than outside agitators or even government persecution.