There is very little known about Demas in the New Testament. We know that he was a Christian, who spent time with Paul in Rome, while Paul was imprisoned there for the first time (Col. 4:14; Phile. 24). But by the time Paul was imprisoned in Rome the second time (about 5-8 years later), something had changed in Demas’ life. He had lost his first love.
Inspiration makes only one definitive statement regarding this man—he forsook Paul, “having loved this present world” (2 Tim. 4:10). He could have done a lot of good in his life for the Lord. We don’t know. The picture we do have is one who did exactly the opposite of what First John 2:15 says, “Do not love the world or the things in the world.”
Demas had taken his eyes (i.e., love) off of the goal. Draw a line from verse 10 back to verse 8. Demas “loved this present world.” But a “crown of righteousness” awaits “all who have loved His appearing.” Which do you love? Where are your eyes? On the appearing of Jesus? Or on this present world?