“Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you.”
and Demas greet you
This is the Demas who two years later forsook Paul because he loved this present world (
II Tim. 4:10 ). Demas probably did not forsake Christ (cf.Philemon 24 ). Luke, however, remained with Paul in his hour of danger.Paul gives no commendation of Demas. There may be a suggestion that even at this time he was not sure of his stability.
Demas’ supreme passion was the world (II Tim. 4:10). Diotrephes’ supreme passion was to have the pre-eminence (
III Jn. 9 ). Demetrius’ supreme passion was the truth (III Jn 12 ). These three men were characterized by their supreme passions. The difference lay in their commitment.
Principle:
Many make a grand entrance and later fade from dynamic Christian living.
Application:
It is sad to see a person fail toward the end of their career. In this verse we see contrasting examples of faithfulness and unfaithfulness. Luke the faithful physician remained with Paul during his difficulty – “Only Luke is with me,” (
II Tim. 4:11 ). Everybody else left Paul in his dire moment of danger. Demas unfaithfully preferred his skin to his conscience.May not God allow us to finish our lives infamous fashion.
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