Demas is one of those despised men of the New Testament.  It is difficult to find any who praise him after Paul's imprisonment.  At this time, Paul remarked, For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica... 2 Timothy 4:10.  Such a horrible shortcoming to forsake one during the time of special need.  One certainly needs courage to stand against the wiles of the Devil (Ephesians 6:10).  The word of God will enable any who permit it free course in our lives.

    What caused Demas to forsake Paul?  Not lack of courage, but a lust for materialism seemed to be his downfall (Zondervan 2:92).  ...When Demas came up to the great capital of the then known world in company with the Lords prisoners, Paul and Epaphras, it was a different story.  He was not a prisoner, and gradually the contrast between the cell and the outer world became intolerable to him.  He saw the magnificent halls of the Caesars, the gorgeous homes of the rich and the glitter of a world of music, venal loves, jest and wine.  Such a gay world cast its glamour over Demas, and he yielded to its charms.  The prison where his friends were languishing seemed wretched

alongside the musichaunted, scented, dazzling halls of Rome (Lockyer, All the Men of the Bible, pgs 9192).

    Macknight records that some supposed that  Demas ...apostatized to heathenism, and became an Idolpriest.  But of this there is no evidence, as the apostles Paul does not insinuate that he renounced the gospel.  

    Jesus had commanded the apostles, Matthew 10:23  But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.  Jesus had taught the disciples not to cast pearls before swine (Matthew 7:6); and when those a city would not receive them, shake the dust from off their feet (Matthew 10:14).  When people to not receive truth and begin to persecute, flee to a more receptive place.

    I feel that it is unwarranted to single  Demas out for the evil of having forsaken Paul and due to love for this present world.  That is taking the statement totally out of context and makes it teach a possible error.  Demas went to Thessalonica, Crescens to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia!  No one says that Crescens and/or Titus forsook the gospel.  Did they all forsake Paul?  Yes!  Only Luke is with me, Paul replied.  

    Paul is about to die for the faith.  Possibly all those who were with him would be put to death.  This would end the life work of those of such fate.  The context implies that Demas, Crescens and Titus desired to live a little longer, they were not ready to die for the faith, they loved this present world.  Jesus had warned his disciples to flee the city when persecution came upon them (Matthew 10:23), go to another area and preach.  It is not said that Demas loved the world; but that he loved this present world.  He desired to live!

    When Paul came to Corinth, he found a certain Jew named Aquilla, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came to them (Acts 18:12).  Had Aquilla and Priscilla loved this present world?  Why did they not stay in Rome and die for the faith?  

    The attempt to make Demas appear in a wrong light is a forced opinion upon a passage of scripture.  Demas  loved life and desired good days.  He was not ready to lay down his spiritual armor.  He went to Thessalonica, Crescens to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia!  They loved this present world.  We appreciate the work of Crescens and Titus; but  Demas forsook the Paul, he is an apostate.  That is not what the passage says.

    We should be as gracious toward Demas as we would desire one to be toward us, when in the face of much difficulty in a specific area, we move to another area to preach the word.

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