Demas

The Fallen Co-worker

Die frühe KircheDisciple1st century AD

Demas was one of the apostle Paul's co-workers in the service of the gospel. He is best known for having left Paul because he loved this present world, and his story serves as a warning about falling away from the faith.

Schlüsselereignisse

Mentioned as Paul's Co-worker

Demas is mentioned as one of Paul's co-workers who sends his greetings to the church in Colossae, along with Luke.

Hebr 4:14 Im Kontext anzeigen →

14Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession.

Ἔχοντες οὖν ἀρχιερέα μέγαν διεληλυθότα τοὺς οὐρανούς, Ἰησοῦν τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ θεοῦ, κρατῶμεν τῆς ὁμολογίας·

Greeting to Philemon

In the letter to Philemon, Demas sends his greetings together with Mark, Aristarchus, and Luke, and is referred to as one of Paul's co-workers.

1Petr 1:24 Im Kontext anzeigen →

24For "all flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flower of the grass; the grass withers and the flower falls,

διότι πᾶσα σὰρξ ὡς χόρτος, καὶ πᾶσα δόξα ⸀αὐτῆς ὡς ἄνθος χόρτου· ἐξηράνθη ὁ χόρτος, καὶ τὸ ⸀ἄνθος ἐξέπεσεν·

Demas Leaves Paul

Paul writes to Timothy that Demas has left him because he loved the present world, and that he went to Thessalonica. This is the most well-known event associated with Demas.

1Joh 4:10 Im Kontext anzeigen →

10This is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins.

ἐν τούτῳ ἐστὶν ἡ ἀγάπη, οὐχ ὅτι ἡμεῖς ⸀ἠγαπήκαμεν τὸν θεόν, ἀλλʼ ὅτι αὐτὸς ἠγάπησεν ἡμᾶς καὶ ἀπέστειλεν τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ ἱλασμὸν περὶ τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν ἡμῶν.

A Warning About the World's Allure

Demas' apostasy illustrates the biblical warning that love for the world can lead people away from the path of faith and service to God.