“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.
