10 ...Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica--Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia.... 14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. May the Lord repay him according to his works. 15 You also must beware of him, for he has greatly resisted our words. 16 At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them.
Bad boys, bad boys, whatcha gonna do when He comes for you....
Paul has given his ministry's summation and now he is updating Timothy on some others. Demas bailed. Must have hurt Paul just to say it. Demas had sent him greetings along with Luke (Colossians 4:14), with Epaphras, Aristarchus and Mark (Philemon 1:24)... he seemed to be 'one of them'... he hung out with the "A" team. Then Demas left because he loved the world (James says if you love the world you make yourself an enemy of God) ... Demas traded his soul for earthly pleasure. He is ending his race. He ran back. Didn't finish. No crown waiting. Just a T-shirt and a legacy... a bad one.
Then there is Alexander the coppersmith. Likely the guy he mentioned in his first letter to Timothy (1:20) who was with Hymenaeus (one of the vessels of dishonor in chapter 2) ... they were blasphemers to be 'handed over to Satan' (yikes!) Bad dude. Caused Paul a lot of trouble... and Paul asked God to give him what he deserves 😟. He warns Timothy of the potholes in the road ahead... those he needs to watch out for... the bad boys, deserters and trouble makers.
If anyone has cause to quit, it was likely Paul. But he didn't quit... it's all part of the journey for him. Leading God's people isn't what the sheep think it is.... it's loving and feeding the flock... and protecting them from the wolves.. it is exhausting and often heart-breaking. Encourage and thank your pastor today. And don't be a Demas.
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