1 Timothy 1: a toxic church

Paul was released from his prison, in Rome. Timothy is in Ephesus taking care of a toxic church. Evil leaders in the church are naturally inclined to their our honor and glory. In Ephesus, they were focusing in details of the Bible (genealogies, for instance) instead of focusing that Jesus came to save sinners. In doing so, they appeared to be wise, while in fact they were distancing the congregation from the faith and love. Timothy was in a very difficult situation: to oppose influential leader and to make the church return to the core of the gospel:

5-7 The whole point of what we’re urging is simply love—love uncontaminated by self-interest and counterfeit faith, a life open to God. Those who fail to keep to this point soon wander off into dead ends of gossip. They set themselves up as experts on religious issues, but haven’t the remotest idea of what they’re holding forth with such imposing eloquence.