(9) В¶ Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me: (10) For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. (11) Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry. (12) And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus. (13) The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments. (14) Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: (15) Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words. (16) В¶ At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. (17) Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. (18) And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. (19) Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. (20) Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick. (21) Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren. (22) The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.
What is here said of Demas, may be said, and must be said, of all mere nominal professors, who follow Christ only for a name, and were never regenerated, and called by God. If the Reader would learn, under the Lord, to form this one estimate, for ascertaining real, from mere formal godliness; it would enable him, both for himself, and for all around him, to discern him that serveth God, from him that serveth him not: I mean, by the regeneration of the heart. Where the Holy Ghost hath wrought this saving work upon the spirit; there the Lord dwells forever. And none of this description, shall ever, Demas - like, forsake the Lord finally. Sweetly the scriptures bear testimony to this safety, when saying: Though he fall, he shall not utterly be cast down; for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand. Psalms 37:24; Jeremiah 32:40
What a blessed improvement the Apostle makes, from the defection of men, to remark the faithfulness of the Lord. It is sweet, yea, very sweet, from creature unkindness, to learn to value more Creator, and Redeemer love. Paul, no doubt, felt the wound at such a season, when he stood to answer for his life. But it afforded only greater blessedness, from the Lord's personal grace, and mercy. I hardly think it necessary to remind the Reader, of an infinitely greater than Paul, who at the hall of Pilate was treated thus by his disciples, when all forsook him and fled. Precious Jesus! preeminent in all things: sufferings, as well as glory. Reader! there is a time coming, when all friends, however reluctantly on all sides, must leave both you, and me, and we must stand alone before God. I mean, when the Lord shall undress our earthly tabernacle at death. Oh for grace now, to say then: Notwithstanding, the Lord will stand by me, and strengthen me; notwithstanding all my unworthiness, and undeservings; Jesus's Person, blood and righteousness, will be my strength and my song, for he is my salvation. Isaiah 12:1
I do not think it necessary, to dwell with enquiries about any of those persons the Apostle noticeth in the close of this Epistle. They are all passed away in the flood of time, and their dwelling place, like the flower of the field, knoweth them no more. Sweetly the Apostle folds up his Epistle, as I pray God, may be my portion, in the close of life: The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit: Grace be with thee. Amen.