Biblical Oddities: The Sad Story of Demas

One of the most obscure characters in the New Testament is a guy named Demas. We don’t really know very much about him; in fact, he is only mentioned in three verses. Those three verses, though, have a sad story to tell.

Demas is first mentioned in Paul’s letter to the Colossians:

Colossians 4:14: “Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.”

At the time that Paul wrote this he was actually being held in prison in Rome. Despite the dire circumstances, Paul was not alone; Luke and Demas were both with him. Demas was not just a random person; he was someone who stood by Paul, even when he was in prison. In fact, Paul called him a fellowlaborer:

Philemon 1:24: “Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.”

That is high praise! The apostle Paul singled Demas out for special commendation. Demas was still there, fighting the good fight, standing by Paul in his ministry.

Demas is mentioned one more time in the Bible. This mention is found in 2 Timothy, which was written toward the end of Paul’s life. This is what Paul had to say:

2 Timothy 4:10: “For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.”

Demas – who once worked beside Paul – had abandoned the apostle. Demas did not finish the race; instead he dropped out just when Paul was about to die. He left Paul just when the apostle’s need was greatest. We are even told why he did this: Demas loved this present world. He preferred the riches of this world over the sufferings of Christ. He chose the world over God because he loved the world more.

There is a cautionary tale in this. Demas started out strong, but he failed to finish. In the end he fell away and abandoned God. It is good to start out strong – but we must finish strong as well. We need to keep the faith and hold on. If we don’t, the consequences will be dire:

Ezekiel 3:20: “Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity…he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered…”

I don’t know what great deeds Demas did. What I do know is that Demas chose to forsake God, because he loved the things of this world – and that is how he will be remembered.