Reflections on Demas

Demas was a companion of the Apostle Paul and was mentioned in both Colossians and Philemon. Certainly we would think of him in a positive light if it weren't for the last epistle Paul wrote. In 2 Timothy Paul drops a bomb shell about the one who had been referred to as a "fellow worker" in Paul's letter to Philemon.

9 Do your best to come to me soon. 10 For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. --2 Timothy 4


I think I can sense the pain in Paul when he says this. He uses the accusation "in love with this present world" which is very serious. He also says Demas had "deserted" him. Paul had been abandoned close to the time of his execution. It was likely only a short time after he wrote this letter that he was beheaded by the Godless pagan emperor of Rome. Paul knew that one whom he had considered a brother and fellow worker loved the world and abandoned the faith. Some may say there isn't conclusive evidence that Demas wasn't regenerate but the words God inspired Paul to use are very telling. James chapter 4 tells us,

4 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 

That being said, those who pour their lives into ministering to the brethren have to some extent encountered a Demas. Someone who they have taught, ministered to, and cared for, who end up denying the faith and glory of God. There is very little that can tear a servant of God's soul more than the Demases who depart. This vexing experience is necessary for several reasons.

1. The truth is always better than a lie. Demases are living in the church even though they are not a part of it. It is better for God's church that they are removed. 1 John 2 tells us,

15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. 18 Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour. 19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.

2. The trial teaches the minister to abandon pride and see his love and obedience to Christ as the measure of his ministry. It is easy to feel like the spiritual growth of those in our flocks are our success. This is a lie and is sinful pride. In 1 Corinthians 3:5-7 Paul says,

5 What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. 7 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.

God saves and gives growth and we are His servants in His field. Our joy is in Him and His glory, not the success of our ministry. In the pain of the departing of a Demas we must seek our joy in our God and His glorification. We must learn to love Him more than our ministry and praise Him that even in these painful events He is lovingly protecting His church and training His servants. We must enjoy Him and His glory to such a degree that we will endure loss like one who truly has no loss but has been blessed above all others. Soli Deo gloria!