2 Timothy 4:10
because Demas, in his love of this world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia.
because Demas
Demas is mentioned in the New Testament as a companion of Paul in earlier letters (Colossians 4:14, Philemon 1:24). His name, derived from the Greek "Dēmas," suggests a person of the people. Historically, Demas is seen as a cautionary figure, representing those who start strong in faith but falter. His presence in Paul's letters serves as a reminder of the human tendency to waver and the importance of perseverance in faith.

in his love of this world
The phrase "love of this world" is translated from the Greek "agapēsas ton nun aiōna," indicating a deep affection or preference for the present age. This reflects a common biblical theme contrasting the temporal, material world with eternal, spiritual values. Historically, the early church faced pressures from a surrounding culture that often conflicted with Christian teachings. Demas's choice serves as a warning against prioritizing worldly desires over spiritual commitments.

has deserted me
The Greek word "egkatelipen" is used here, meaning to abandon or leave behind. This term conveys a sense of betrayal and personal loss, highlighting the emotional and relational impact of Demas's departure on Paul. In the context of early Christian ministry, such desertion would have been particularly painful, as the work was challenging and required strong communal support.

and gone to Thessalonica
Thessalonica was a major city in Macedonia, known for its strategic location and vibrant trade. It was also a place where Paul had established a church (Acts 17:1-9). Demas's choice to go there might suggest a return to a more comfortable or familiar environment, away from the hardships of missionary work. This decision underscores the tension between the call to mission and the allure of stability and security.

Crescens has gone to Galatia
Crescens is a lesser-known figure in the New Testament, mentioned only here. His journey to Galatia, a region in modern-day Turkey, indicates the spread of the early Christian mission. Galatia was a diverse area with both Jewish and Gentile populations, reflecting the church's expanding reach. Crescens's mission there suggests a commitment to spreading the Gospel despite the challenges.

and Titus to Dalmatia
Titus, a trusted companion of Paul, is known for his leadership and pastoral skills (Titus 1:4-5). Dalmatia, part of modern-day Croatia, was a region less frequently mentioned in the New Testament. Titus's mission there highlights the geographical breadth of early Christian evangelism and the dedication of leaders like him to establish and nurture new communities of believers.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Demas
A companion of Paul who is mentioned in other epistles as a fellow worker. In this verse, he is noted for having deserted Paul due to his love for the present world.

2. Thessalonica
A major city in Macedonia, significant in early Christian history. It was a place where Paul had previously established a church.

3. Crescens
A lesser-known figure in the New Testament, mentioned here as having gone to Galatia. His mission or purpose is not detailed in the scriptures.

4. Galatia
A region in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey) where Paul had established several churches. It is known for the recipients of the Epistle to the Galatians.

5. Titus
A close associate of Paul, known for his leadership and pastoral work. He is mentioned here as having gone to Dalmatia.

6. Dalmatia
A region on the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea, part of modern-day Croatia. It was an area where early Christian missions were active.
Teaching Points
The Danger of Worldly Affections
Demas's desertion serves as a warning about the dangers of prioritizing worldly desires over spiritual commitments. Believers are encouraged to examine their own lives for areas where worldly affections may be taking precedence over their faith.

Faithfulness in Ministry
Despite Demas's departure, others like Crescens and Titus continued their ministry work. This highlights the importance of faithfulness and perseverance in serving God, even when others fall away.

The Reality of Desertion
Paul’s experience with Demas reminds us that even in Christian ministry, there can be disappointments and desertions. It is crucial to remain steadfast and trust in God’s plan, even when faced with such challenges.

The Importance of Community
The mention of various individuals and their locations underscores the importance of a supportive Christian community. Believers are encouraged to build and maintain strong relationships within the body of Christ.
Bible Study Questions
1. What can we learn from Demas's decision to prioritize the present world over his commitment to Paul and the ministry?

2. How can we guard our hearts against the love of the world as warned in 1 John 2:15-17?

3. In what ways can we demonstrate faithfulness in our own ministry or service, even when others around us may falter?

4. How does the example of Crescens and Titus encourage us to continue in our mission, regardless of the actions of others?

5. What steps can we take to strengthen our Christian community and support one another in our spiritual journeys?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Colossians 4:14 and Philemon 1:24
These verses mention Demas as a fellow worker with Paul, highlighting his previous commitment to the ministry.

1 John 2:15-17
This passage warns against loving the world, which connects to Demas's desertion due to his love for the present world.

Titus 1:4-5
Paul’s letter to Titus, where he is addressed as a true son in the faith, showing his trusted role in the early church.
A Faithful FriendT. Hall, B. D.2 Timothy 4:9-11
Best Men -- Lessons from Their LifeHomilist2 Timothy 4:9-11
CompanionshipU. R. Thomas.2 Timothy 4:9-11
Counteractives to WorldlinessJ. Leifchild, D. D.2 Timothy 4:9-11
Crescens is Gone to Galatia, Titus to DalmatiaT. Hall, B. D.2 Timothy 4:9-11
Danger of the World2 Timothy 4:9-11
DemasT. J. Crawford, D. D.2 Timothy 4:9-11
DemasR. T. Verrall, B. A.2 Timothy 4:9-11
DemasM. G. Pearse.2 Timothy 4:9-11
DemasT. Hall, B. D.2 Timothy 4:9-11
DemasT. M. Herbert, M. A.2 Timothy 4:9-11
DemasT. Guthrie, D. D.2 Timothy 4:9-11
Demas the DeserterT. L. Cuyler, D. D.2 Timothy 4:9-11
Friends in AdversityG. Whitefield.2 Timothy 4:9-11
Good Men Easily Reconciled to Good MenT. Hall, B. D.2 Timothy 4:9-11
Isolation UndesirableA. J. Morris.2 Timothy 4:9-11
Luke, the Beloved PhysicianH. A. Nelson, D. D.2 Timothy 4:9-11
Man's Craving for SocietyA. J. Morris.2 Timothy 4:9-11
St. Luke an Example of Trite FriendshipR. S. Barrett.2 Timothy 4:9-11
St. Luke the EvangelistH. Melvill, B. D.2 Timothy 4:9-11
The Apostasy of DemasH. Melvill, B. D.2 Timothy 4:9-11
The Apostasy of DemasJ. N. Norton, D. D.2 Timothy 4:9-11
The Beloved PhysicianW. B. Carpenter, M. A.2 Timothy 4:9-11
The Border-Land Between Christ and the World2 Timothy 4:9-11
The Connection Between Love of the World and ApostasyG. Fisk, LL. B.2 Timothy 4:9-11
The Damager of BackslidingR. Sibbes.2 Timothy 4:9-11
The Falling Away of DemasCanon Puckle.2 Timothy 4:9-11
The Foolish Love of the WorldJohn Flavel.2 Timothy 4:9-11
The Friendship of St. Luke and St. PaulW. G. Abbott, M. A.2 Timothy 4:9-11
The Quarrel About John MarkE. H. Higgins.2 Timothy 4:9-11
The Relapsed ChristianJ. Leifchild, D. D.2 Timothy 4:9-11
The Society of Good Men DesirableT. Hall, B. D.2 Timothy 4:9-11
The World Pictured by FancyW. L. Watkinson.2 Timothy 4:9-11
Worldliness Fatal to ReligionS. Coley.2 Timothy 4:9-11
The Apostle's Loneliness and Need of Assistance and ComfortT. Croskery 2 Timothy 4:9-12
PersonalR. Finlayson 2 Timothy 4:9-22
People
Alexander, Aquila, Claudia, Crescens, Demas, Erastus, Eubulus, Linus, Luke, Mark, Onesiphorus, Paul, Prisca, Priscilla, Pudens, Timothy, Titus, Trophimus, Tychicus
Places
Corinth, Dalmatia, Ephesus, Galatia, Miletus, Thessalonica, Troas
Topics
Age, Crescens, Dalmatia, Demas, Departed, Deserted, Forsaken, Forsook, Galatia, Love, Loved, Loving, Present, Thessalonica, Thessaloni'ca, Titus
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Timothy 4:10

     1194   glory, divine and human
     2426   gospel, responses
     4030   world, behaviour in
     5436   pain
     5692   friends, bad
     5811   compromise
     5885   indifference
     8211   commitment, to world
     8296   love, nature of
     8302   love, abuse of
     8463   priority, of faith, hope and love
     8484   spiritual warfare, enemies
     8706   apostasy, warnings
     8743   faithlessness, nature of
     8848   worldliness

2 Timothy 4:9-11

     7742   missionaries, support

2 Timothy 4:9-13

     5976   visiting

2 Timothy 4:10-11

     5689   friendlessness

Library
Truth Hidden when not Sought After.
"They shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables."--2 Tim. iv. 4. From these words of the blessed Apostle, written shortly before he suffered martyrdom, we learn, that there is such a thing as religious truth, and therefore there is such a thing as religious error. We learn that religious truth is one--and therefore that all views of religion but one are wrong. And we learn, moreover, that so it was to be (for his words are a prophecy) that professed Christians,
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VIII

A Last Look-Out
We have mainly to do with the second description which he gives of his death. What does he say when the hour that this grim monster must be grappled with is at hand? I do not find him sad. Those who delight in gloomy poetry have often represented death in terrible language. "It is hard," says one-- To feel the hand of death arrest one's steps, Throw a chill blight on all one's budding hopes, And hurl one's soul untimely to the shades." And another exclaims-- "O God, it is a fearful thing To see the
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 17: 1871

Sermon for St. Peter's Day
Of brotherly rebuke and admonition, how far it is advisable and seemly or not, and especially how prelates and governors ought to demean themselves toward their subjects. 2 Tim. iv. 2.--"Reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all long-suffering and doctrine." THIS is the lesson which St. Paul gives to his beloved disciple Timothy, whom he set to rule over men, and it equally behoves all pastors of souls and magistrates, to possess these two things,--long-suffering and doctrine. First, it is their office to
Susannah Winkworth—The History and Life of the Reverend Doctor John Tauler

Demas
BY REV. PRINCIPAL DAVID ROWLANDS, B.A. Many a man who figures in history, is only known in connection with some stupendous fault--some mistake, some folly, or some sin--that has given him an unenviable immortality. Mention his name, and the huge blot by which his memory is besmirched starts up before the mind in all its hideousness. Take Cain, for example. He occupies the foremost rank as regards fame; his name is one of the first that children learn to lisp; and yet what do we know about him?
George Milligan—Men of the Bible; Some Lesser-Known

Some Other Writers of the New Testament
[Illustration: (drop cap L) Ancient engraving of man reading scroll] Let us now look at the rest of the books which make up the New Testament. In the days when Paul preached at Athens, the old capital of Greece, much of the ancient splendour and power of the Greek people had passed away, for the Romans had conquered their country, and they were no longer a free nation. Yet, although the Greeks had been forced to yield to Rome, their conquerors knew that the Grecian scholars and artists were far
Mildred Duff—The Bible in its Making

Epistle Liii. To John, Bishop.
To John, Bishop. Gregory to John, Bishop of Constantinople [1503] . Though consideration of the case moves me, yet charity also impels me to write, since I have written once and again to my most holy brother the lord John, but have received no letter from him. For some one else, a secular person, addressed me under his name; seeing that, if those were really his letters, I have not been vigilant, having believed of him something far different from what I have found. For I had written about the
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

Paul's Departure and Crown;
OR, AN EXPOSITION UPON 2 TIM. IV. 6-8 ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR How great and glorious is the Christian's ultimate destiny--a kingdom and a crown! Surely it hath not entered into the heart of man to conceive what ear never heard, nor mortal eye ever saw? the mansions of the blest--the realms of glory--'a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.' For whom can so precious an inheritance be intended? How are those treated in this world who are entitled to so glorious, so exalted, so eternal,
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

How the Meek and the Passionate are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 17.) Differently to be admonished are the meek and the passionate. For sometimes the meek, when they are in authority, suffer from the torpor of sloth, which is a kindred disposition, and as it were placed hard by. And for the most part from the laxity of too great gentleness they soften the force of strictness beyond need. But on the other hand the passionate, in that they are swept on into frenzy of mind by the impulse of anger, break up the calm of quietness, and so throw into
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

A Fulfilled Aspiration
'So that I might finish my course....'--ACTS xx. 24. 'I have finished my course....'--2 TIM. iv. 7. I do not suppose that Paul in prison, and within sight of martyrdom, remembered his words at Ephesus. But the fact that what was aspiration whilst he was in the very thick of his difficulties came to be calm retrospect at the close is to me very beautiful and significant. 'So that I may finish my course,' said he wistfully; whilst before him there lay dangers clearly discerned and others that had all
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

The Glory of Jesus and Mary.
Before entering upon the contemplation of the excellent glory which surrounds the blessed in heaven, we must endeavor to form a correct idea of God's grace, which enabled them to perform the great and noble actions we are now to consider. They were all, except Jesus and Mary, conceived in sin, and, therefore, subject to the same temptations that daily assail us. They never could have triumphed and reached the supernatural glory which now surrounds them, had they been left to their own natural strength,
F. J. Boudreaux—The Happiness of Heaven

Exhortation to Workers and Ministers
In conclusion I feel that the Lord would be pleased for me to say a few words for the encouragement of young ministers and workers. In my work in the ministry I have come through many varied experiences that, I trust, will be helpful to you in the trials through which you will have to pass before you get settled in the Lord's work. The first difficulty met by most young ministers and workers is in regard to their call. Unless the call be clear and definite, they are likely to be in some doubt as
Mary Cole—Trials and Triumphs of Faith

Author's Introduction,
In Which the Sources of This History Are Principally Treated A history of the "Origin of Christianity" ought to embrace all the obscure, and, if one might so speak, subterranean periods which extend from the first beginnings of this religion up to the moment when its existence became a public fact, notorious and evident to the eyes of all. Such a history would consist of four books. The first, which I now present to the public, treats of the particular fact which has served as the starting-point
Ernest Renan—The Life of Jesus

Meditations of the Blessed State of the Regenerate Man after Death.
This estate has three degrees:--1st, From the day of death to the resurrection; 2d, From the resurrection to the pronouncing of the sentence; 3d, After the sentence, which lasts eternally. As soon as ever the regenerate man hath yielded up his soul to Christ, the holy angels take her into their custody, and immediately carry her into heaven (Luke xvi. 22), and there present her before Christ, where she is crowned with a crown of righteousness and glory; not which she hath deserved by her good works,
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

Perseverance
'Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.' I Pet 1:1. The fifth and last fruit of sanctification, is perseverance in grace. The heavenly inheritance is kept for the saints, and they are kept to the inheritance. I Pet 1:1. The apostle asserts a saint's stability and permanence in grace. The saint's perseverance is much opposed by Papists and Arminians; but it is not the less true because it is opposed. A Christian's main comfort depends upon this doctrine of perseverance. Take
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Conflict and Comfort.
"For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; that their hearts may be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ."--COL. ii. 1, 2. Although he was in prison the Apostle was constantly at work for his Master, and not least of all at the work of prayer. If ever the words
W. H. Griffith Thomas—The Prayers of St. Paul

Concerning God's Purpose
1. God's purpose is the cause of salvation. THE third and last thing in the text, which I shall but briefly glance at, is the ground and origin of our effectual calling, in these words, "according to his purpose" (Eph. i. 11). Anselm renders it, According to his good will. Peter Martyr reads it, According to His decree. This purpose, or decree of God, is the fountainhead of our spiritual blessings. It is the impulsive cause of our vocation, justification, glorification. It is the highest link in
Thomas Watson—A Divine Cordial

Second Missionary Journey
Scripture, Acts 15:36-18:22 +The Inception+--After the Jerusalem Council Paul returned to Antioch where he spent some time, "teaching and preaching the Word of the Lord with many others also." "And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren i+The Companions+ (Acts 15:37-40).--Barnabas proposed to take John Mark, his nephew, with them on this second journey. But Paul strenuously objected, basing his objection on the ground that this young man had deserted them
Henry T. Sell—Bible Studies in the Life of Paul

How the Gospels came to be Written
[Illustration: (drop cap B) Early Christian Lamp] But how did the story of the Saviour's life on earth come to be written? We have seen that many years passed before any one thought of writing it down at all. The men and women who had really seen Him, who had listened to His voice, looked into His face, and who knew that He had conquered death and sin for evermore, could not sit down to write, for their hearts were all on fire to speak. But as the years passed, the number of those who had seen Christ
Mildred Duff—The Bible in its Making

Because There is not a Single Scripture in the Church Epistles Which, Rightly Interpreted, Teaches a Partial Rapture.
How could there be? Scripture cannot contradict itself. If the Pauline Epistles explicitly teach and expressly affirm that "all shall be changed in a moment," that "they that are Christ's at His coming shall be raised from the dead, that "we must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ" and that when our lord returns to the earth to be glorified in His saints He shall be "admired in all them that believe" then these same Church Epistles can not teach that a part of the Church only shall be
Arthur W. Pink—The Redeemer's Return

Curiosity a Temptation to Sin.
"Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away."--Proverbs iv. 14, 15. The chief cause of the wickedness which is every where seen in the world, and in which, alas! each of us has more or less his share, is our curiosity to have some fellowship with darkness, some experience of sin, to know what the pleasures of sin are like. I believe it is even thought unmanly by many persons (though they may not like to say
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VIII

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