2 Timothy 4:10
“For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Paul reports that Demas has deserted him out of love for the world, while others have gone to various places.
What Does 2 Timothy 4:10 Mean?
Paul explains part of his loneliness. Demas, once a coworker, has forsaken him, having loved this present world, and has left for Thessalonica. Others, Crescens and Titus, have gone to Galatia and Dalmatia, perhaps on ministry, but the absence is felt.
The case of Demas is especially poignant. He did not necessarily abandon the faith outright, but love for this present world drew him away from the costly path of standing with Paul. It is a quiet tragedy, a warning of how the pull of the world can erode commitment. For the reader, Demas stands as a sober example. The love of the world is a real and subtle danger, capable of drawing even those close to the work away from faithfulness. The call is to guard the heart, lest love for what is passing crowd out devotion to what is eternal.