2 Timothy 4:10
10 For [gar] Demas [Demas] hath forsaken [egkataleipo]
me, having loved [agapao] this present [nun] world, [aion] and [kai] is departed [poreuomai]
unto [eis] Thessalonica; [Thessalonike] Crescens [Kreskes] to [eis] Galatia, [Galatia] Titus [Titos] unto [eis] Dalmatia. [Dalmatia] KJV-Interlinear
10 for
Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me and gone to
Thessalonica; Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. NASB
Here, three more names
are mentioned of men who had served and helped Paul over the years. Some faithful and some not so faithful.
Demas was first
mentioned in Colossians and later in Philemon, as a close and fellow
associate. These mentions occurred prior
to the wring of this current letter.
But somewhere along the
line, Demas grew weary of the life and pressures in his association with Paul,
and thus left for Thessalonica as mentioned here.
The word for forsaken, ‘egkataleipo,’
is a strong word for abandonment or fleeing.
It implies a difference of opinion and purpose, and fear for their
present circumstances. One does not flee
when things are ok. Only fear and
pressure causes one to flee or run away.
And, when mentioned along with his ‘love of the world,’ then that paints
a picture of spiritual breakdown in Demas.
Crescens is next
mentioned. And nothing is known about
him except what is implied within this verse.
Where Demas ran away,
Crescens did not flee, but was sent. ‘To
Galatia,’ carries the connotation of one being sent on or with a mission, as
opposed to one who takes off on their own.
So this was a good relationship.
Titus, was both known
in history and faithful to Paul. Titus
is mentioned several times both here and in the Book of Titus, as well as in 2
Corinthians and Galatians. Titus handled
the tough assignments for Paul and was dedicated in his work.
So, beyond those names
recorded in these collective books, there were a variety of people who were
active in Pauls life. Some are known to
us, and most probably there were many more whose names we do not know.
Those listed in the Bible
are not the only people who have succeeded in their spiritual lives.
Your name for instance,
could be included among those who are faithful or unfaithful, depending on your
attitude toward your spiritual life.
Faithfulness should be directed toward God, through a daily study,
through an obedience toward Gods mandates, through a faithfulness to your
obligations as spelled out in the scriptures, excluding pretense and your own
ideas of that which is convenient to you.
Each person stands or
falls on their own, and not on the basis of the actions or inactions of others. You are never criticized for the failures of
others, but you are also not given credit for the actions of others.
God looks on each
individual for spiritual results and you are either committed or not, to Gods
plan for your life.
You have an obligation
toward God first. You have an obligation
to your own spiritual life. You have various
obligations to other people in your life (spouse, family, work). You have an obligation to people in general
through your support of doctrine.
You can excel or fail
in any or all of these relationships, but you cannot pick and choose what you
will or will not agree to when it comes to that which God expects from you.
Your objective is to
win in all categories of your own personal spiritual life, not in just some of
them.
One day, you will stand
before Christ and that is when the books of your life will be opened, and your
story will be read and presented in your behalf for your reward.
How will your story
read? Well, it will read exactly as you
write it, and you write it by means of the pattern of life you decide to
live. So, your destiny and future and
reward are in effect, in your own hands.
You can make your life’s story a good one or a bad one.
E-Books, E-Book Reader
Your Comments
Daily Bible Study Quick Links
Subscription Options
