Demas, possibly short for Demetrios or Demetrius, was at one time a fellow worker alongside the apostle Paul in ministering the Gospel. In the following Scriptures Paul mentions him right alongside other fellow Christians, including Mark and Luke the Physician.
(Philemon 1:23-24) Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. And so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow workers.
(Colossians 4:14) Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings.
Demas Abandons Paul
The only other time Demas is mentioned in the Bible is in Paul’s second letter to Timothy. In this letter that was written shortly before Paul’s death, Paul ask Timothy to come as soon as he can. In Paul’s own words he tells Timothy, “Demas has deserted me because he loves the things of this life and has gone to Thessalonica.” It was apparent that in Paul’s time of need, he was abandoned by Demas. Paul said only Luke remained with him. (2 Timothy 4:9-11)
While Demas is only mentioned three times in the Bible, these three times tell a sad and tragic story. He goes from being mentioned among the likes of Mark and Luke, to deserting the great Apostle Paul because he loved the things of the world. How sad it is for someone to turn their back on a fellow Christian and the Christian faith in exchange for whatever the things were in the world that he was in love with.
Love Not The World
A lesson to remember, the Bible says it is not possible to love the world and love God at the same time.
(1 John 2:15) Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.
Follow THE BIBLE ANSWER on Facebook and Instagram!
