What is "demas"

Demas is a man mentioned by the Apostle Paul in the New Testament of the Bible, and appears to have been involved for a time in his ministry.

Demas is mentioned on three separate occasions by Paul:

• In Philemon he is mentioned as a "fellow worker".
• In Colossians he is mentioned along with Luke (the physician and writer of the Gospel of Luke and Acts).
• The best known statement about Demas is in Second Timothy, where it is mentioned that "...for Demas, because he loved this world, he has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica."

Demas has been described as "one of the most intriguing biblical bit players."

In addition to the Biblical accounts, Demas is also mentioned in the Acts of Paul and Thecla.