Demas
Scripture Reading: Colossians 4:10-17
One of the often overlooked qualities of the Apostle Paul was his relational skills. We mostly think of Paul as the tough, battle-hardened, evangelist/pastor/church planter/theologian. But without fail, his letters to the churches always contain the names of people with whom he had built relationships. He was what we would call a “people person.”
That is evident at the close of the letter to the Colossian believers. As usual, Paul sends specific greetings, commendations, and encouragements. He talks about others by name. In a quick perusal of the verses of our reading, I find nine people mentioned specifically by name.
One of those mentioned was Demas. This wasn’t the only place his name shows up in Paul’s writings. Later, toward the end of Paul’s life, while he languished in prison awaiting his execution, he wrote that Demas had forsaken him, having loved this present world.
That is the last thing we hear about Demas. Whether he was a truly converted man I can’t say. Paul is blunt in his assessment of the man. He didn’t leave Paul because he had other ministries that were more pressing or because God was compelling him to some other path. He left because he didn’t want to die with Paul. He loved life in this world more than suffering for Christ.
When Colossians was written Demas must have seemed to be a solid believing man. He was, after all, traveling with and a part of Paul’s ministry. Paul didn’t just let anyone tag along. Remember John Mark? So, it wasn’t as if everyone knew this was going to happen and that it was just a matter of time.
Demas’ desertion was a blow to Paul. Unexpected. Disappointing. That’s why he brought it up. Whatever happened to Demas? We don’t know. We can hope that like John Mark he made a recovery and got back on track and became the man everyone thought he was.
Paul’s words about Demas, in some sense, serve as a warning to all of us. They exhort us to trust less in ourselves and to lean more heavily on Jesus. They remind us to take another thing Paul wrote to heart: “If anyone thinks he stands, take heed, lest he fall.” Be humble. Be alert. And always cling desperately to Jesus.
