Demas, mentioned by the Apostle Paul in the New Testament of the Bible, appears to have been a man involved in the ministry as a companion of Paul,[Colossians 4:14][Philemon 1:24] and has been described as 'one of the most intriguing biblical bit players.'
Demas is best known for the statement in Second Timothy, that says "...for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica." (2Timothy 4:10a). The letter is ascribed to Paul.
Demas is also mentioned in the Acts of Paul and Thecla.
Fictional references
In The Pilgrim's Progress, John Bunyan writes of Demas, a deceiver, who beckons to pilgrims at the Hill Lucre, urging them to join in the supposed silver mining being carried out there.
In Shane Johnson's 2007 novel, "The Demas Revelation," Demas plays a pivotal role in the plot of the story and lends his name to the title.
In Jane Eyre, St. John warns Jane from committing the vice of Demas when trying to convince her to join him as a missionary in India.
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