2 Timothy 4:10

‘For Demas forsook me, having loved this present world, and went to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.’

‘Demas forsook me, having loved this present world, and went to Thessalonica.’ Demas was called a fellow-labourer in Colossians 4:14. The aorist here might suggest a sudden act as a result of Paul’s being called for his first appearance as described in 2 Timothy 4:16. It might suddenly have come home to Demas that his own life may be in danger if he remained with Paul. But we are probably not to see in this a spiritual backsliding. so much as simply an act of pure cowardice. He wanted to serve Christ but he loved the present world and just did not want to die. Compare those mentioned in 2 Timothy 1:15 who were very similar. So he thought of an excuse. He felt led to go to Thessalonica to help the church there. But Paul was not deceived. He knew why he had gone.

We can compare his love for the present world with those who love Christ’s appearing in 2 Timothy 4:8. Demas was failing to be singleminded. He wanted the best of both worlds.

‘Crescens to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.’ The mention of Titus is against suggesting that they had left Paul for the same reason. These departures were thus more tactical. The churches needed them. Paul would not hold them back just for his own sake. We know nothing of Crescens, but God knew, and he is listed alongside Titus. And Galatia no doubt knew him well and thanked God for him. We know more about Titus who had at times been a companion of Paul (Galatians 2:1; Galatians 2:3), and had been sent by him earlier to sort out the difficulties with the Corinthian church (2 Corinthians 7:6; 2 Corinthians 7:13-14; 2Co 8:6 ; 2 Corinthians 8:16; 2 Corinthians 8:23; 2 Corinthians 12:18). Like Timothy he had received a letter from Paul while he was ministering in Crete. Now he had gone to Dalmatia. He was one of Paul’s troubleshooters.