In one of the saddest lines in the Bible, Paul sends news of a friend. Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica.

Demas is mentioned as a companion of Paul in other letters in the New Testament (Colossians 4:14 & Philemon 1:24). He traveled widely, spread the good news of Jesus, and enjoyed the pleasures and pains of missionary life. But for some unknown reason, Demas ditched the faith and left Paul alone in a dank cell.

Why did Demas leave? Perhaps he also faced prison and hoped to escape? Maybe he saw the possibility of losing his life, as Paul later did, and backed away? Did he sense that Paul’s teachings had led to a dead end and it was time to cut bait? Maybe a woman pulled him away?

The phrase in love with this present world provides a clue. Makes me think that Demas left for greener pastures, a larger payday, for money and all that money buys. Paul had several wealthy benefactors who supported the church planters. Perhaps Demas wanted what they had, but lacked their generosity and commitment to the cause of spreading the gospel. News of Demas went cold. The Bible offers no further details, so whether he returned to the faith or remained devoted to worldly pursuits remains unknown.

Regardless, Demas slipped away, and in so doing betrayed his mentor, his friends and his faith.

Stay strong. Keep focused. Pray, read the Bible and associate with fellow believers. Avoid the fate of Demas. Let us keep the faith when the going gets tough.

2 Timothy 4:10

Photo by Linh Nguyen