"For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica."
Biblical Name · Greek Origin
Demas Meaning in the Bible
Demas
boy
Demas means "Of the people; Popular", a boy's name of Greek origin. Demas appears in the King James Bible, and 2 Timothy 4:10 is the passage most often tied to it. Demas — who loved 'this present world' — stands as a solemn warning that proximity to godliness is not the same as possessing it. His story asks each of us: will we love the world or the One who made it?
Is Demas in the Bible?
Yes — Demas appears in the King James Bible, including 2 Timothy 4:10.
Pronunciation:/DEE-mus/
OriginGreek
MeaningOf the people; Popular
What does Demas mean?
Demas is a boy name of Greek origin meaning "Of the people; Popular". Demas means "of the people" or "popular" in Greek. His story in the New Testament is one of the most poignant cautionary tales — a man who worked alongside Paul but ultimately abandoned the faith for worldly pursuits.
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Editor’s reflection
The co-worker Paul names three times — the last time in one heartbreaking line.
Demas (Greek Δημᾶς) is a shortened form of a name like Demetrios or Demarchos, from dēmos, 'the people.' It is an ordinary Greek name, and the man who carried it was, for a while, an ordinary member of Paul's inner circle.
He appears as a fellow labourer in Philemon 24 and sends greetings alongside Luke in Colossians 4:14. Then comes 2 Timothy 4:10, written near the end of Paul's life: 'For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica.' Paul does not accuse him of heresy or scandal. The charge is simpler and more familiar: he loved this present world more than the cost of staying.
For that reason Demas is almost never used as a given name in Christian families, though the sound has quietly re-entered use through Demetrius and Damian. Preachers keep the name alive as shorthand for slow drift rather than dramatic fall — the reason the verse is quoted far more often than the man is remembered.
“Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world.”
What does Demas mean in the Bible?
Demas means "Of the people; Popular" and is a name of Greek origin. Below is what Scripture and Christian tradition attach to that meaning.
Demas means "of the people" or "popular" in Greek. His story in the New Testament is one of the most poignant cautionary tales — a man who worked alongside Paul but ultimately abandoned the faith for worldly pursuits.
Demas first appears positively. In Colossians 4:14, Paul lists him as a companion alongside Luke. In Philemon 1:24, he's called a "fellowlabourer." But in Paul's final letter, the tone changes dramatically: "Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica."
This three-verse arc — companion, co-laborer, deserter — is one of Scripture's most compact tragedies. Demas had walked with the greatest apostle, witnessed miracles, and been part of the early church's inner circle. Yet the pull of "this present world" proved stronger than his faith.
Where does Demas appear in the Bible (KJV)?
Demas is connected to 2 key passages in the King James Bible, beginning with 2 Timothy 4:10. Each verse is quoted in full below.
"Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you."
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Which books of the Bible mention Demas?
Demas is mentioned across 3 books of the Bible. Follow any book below to read it in the KJV.
What is the spiritual meaning of Demas?
Demas — who loved 'this present world' — stands as a solemn warning that proximity to godliness is not the same as possessing it. His story asks each of us: will we love the world or the One who made it?
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Names like Demas
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Names that pair well with Demas
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Share the meaning of Demas
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Demas name meaning: frequently asked questions
The text does not say. 2 Timothy 4:10 records that he abandoned Paul out of love for 'this present world' and went to Thessalonica; it makes no statement about his eternal standing. Commentators differ, and the passage is usually read as a warning about worldliness rather than a verdict on one man.
Yes — Demas appears in the King James Bible, including 2 Timothy 4:10.
Demas means "Of the people; Popular." It is a Greek name. The King James Bible uses it in 2 Timothy 4:10, so the meaning is carried by a real person in Scripture.
Common questions about the name Demas
Can I download a free King James Bible PDF to study the name Demas?
Yes. The complete King James Bible is available as a free PDF download — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
Where can I read the full biblical context for Demas?
You can read every verse where Demas appears in the King James Bible by downloading the free KJV PDF or reading online. The download page also includes a bookmarked Book of Psalms KJV PDF for easy reference.