For every Timothy there is a Demas (2 Timothy 4:10). For every Prisca and Aquila there is a Hymenaeus and Alexander (I Timothy 1:20). For every Epahproditus (Philippians 2:25-30) there is a “Corinthian.” For those who do not know what I am talking about, I recently noticed that there is a great balance in the inspired writings of the Apostle Paul. He had friends, close friends, real friends! He had Timothy who would do anything to help the Apostle. The young man who so loved Paul (but even more- loved the Christ of Paul) that he was willing to take on the sinful elders at Ephesus while but a timid youth. But Demas, who had ministered with Paul as a co-laborer in Colossi was no where to be found in Paul’s hour of need. He wasn’t just absent, but he was absent because he turned back to the safety and comfort of the world. “Demas has forsaken me having loved this present world.”
When reading this, we might get the idea that Demas was out carousing with loose women, became a drunk, was materialistic, and just lived high on life. But that is probably not what the Apostle meant. This short sentence is found within the context of Paul’s certainty that he will die soon. He says that he has fought a good fight and finished his race–he kept the faith (which is a very lofty goal if you think about it). He is encouraged by the soon coming reward from his Savior, but while he is awaiting the upward calling– his martyr’s death–he asks Timothy to come see him one last time. Faithful Timothy should bring Mark, Paul’s coat, and the parchments. This is literally, the last wishes of a condemned man, and what he wants in the end is a friend. It seems like from the words used, that Crescens and Titus recently left, but they did so in order to carry the Gospel for there is not note of disappointment with them. Tychicus also is gone, but he was sent to minister in Ephesus. Erastus is at Corinth, Trophimus became ill and is Miletum. But Demas, forsook Paul-he deserted him. Why? To stand with Paul meant an unpleasant life. To stand with God’s servant meant a life of hardship, persecution and probably death. The fact that the Holy Spirit uses the word, “present” indicates that the reason Demas left is that he lost an eternal view of this life. He cherished his life above the advance of the Gospel. He traded reward later, for breath now. He exchanged an eternal crown for a temporal comfort.
You probably could list “Demas’s” in your life, those who forsook you because standing with you was not a priority of theirs; but my purpose in this post is not to lead us down a path of bitter remembrances. It is rather to remind us that we must beware, lest we become a Demas. Not just a Demas to our friends, but a Demas to the cause of Jesus Christ and the advance of the Gospel. What is so powerful in your life that it will allow you to shrink back from your stand for Christ…and justify it? I echo the sentiments of Robert Robinson, the sixteenth century hymn writer of “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing.” In the third stanza he writes,
“Prone to wander, Lord I feel it
Prone to leave the God I love.
Here’s my heart o take and seal it
seal it for Thy courts above.”
There is a story that Robinson did leave the God he loved, turning to Unitarianism and sinful living, and even a much repeated account that he was confronted by a woman on a stagecoach toward the end of his life. She was humming that tune and asked him what he thought of this hymn. Supposedly, he replied, “Madam, I am the poor unhappy man who wrote that hymn many years ago, and I would give a thousand worlds, if I had them, to enjoy the feelings I had then.” Some say that he repented and was restored. This story and even his supposed conversion to Unitarianism is not confirmed and in my opinion is suspect. We simply have no reliable proof that this happened (and no, just because website after website repeats the story doesn’t mean it is true.) Whether or not Robinson ever did wander and leave the God he loved, we have plenty of Biblical warnings about this very thing that Robinson feared. The short account of Demas in 2 Timothy 4:10 is one very important warning. May we all draw nearer to Jesus Christ as our all-sufficiency that we be not a Demas-loving the comforts of this present life more than the eternal glory of Christ.
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