popula
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
DEMAS (= Demetrius?).A companion of St. Paul in his first Roman imprisonment (Col_4:14, Phm_1:24). There is some indication (cf. Php_2:20 f.) that even then Demas was not altogether trusted; and later he forsook the Apostle, having loved this present world (2Ti_4:10). He was apparently a native of Thessalonica.
A. J. Maclean.
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible
Edited by James Hastings, D.D. Published in 1909
Contracted from DEMETRIUS, or Demarchus. Paul's "fellow laborer," along with Mark and Luke (Phm_1:24), and companion (Col_4:14) during his first Roman imprisonment. But he declined; for in 2Ti_4:10 Paul writes, "Demas hath forsaken (Greek text: "left behind") me, having loved this present world (world course), and is departed unto Thessalonica," probably his home (Chrysostom). Love of worldly ease and home comforts was his snare, a sad contrast to "all them that love Christ's appearing" (2Ti_4:8).
Fausset's Bible Dictionary
By Andrew Robert Fausset, co-Author of Jamieson, Fausset and Brown's 1888.
De'mas. (governor of the people). Most probably, a contraction from Demetrius, or perhaps from Demarchus, a companion of St. Paul, Phm_1:24; Col_4:14, during his first imprisonment at Rome. (A.D. 57). At a later period, 2Ti_4:10, we find him mentioned as having deserted the apostle through love of this present world, and having gone to Thessalonica.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
By Dr. William Smith.Published in 1863
dē?mas (Δημᾶς, Dēmás, ?popular?): According to Col_4:14; 2Ti_4:10; Phm_1:24, one who was for a time a ?fellow-worker? with Paul at Rome (Col, Philem), but at last, ?having loved this present world,? forsook the apostle and betook himself to Thessalonica (2 Tim). No other particulars are given concerning him. See APOSTASY; DEMETRIUS.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
PRINTER 1915.
De?mas, a Thessalonian Christian who was for a time associated with St. Paul, but who afterwards abandoned him at Rome, either from being discouraged by the hardships and perils of the service, or in pursuit of temporal advantages (Col_4:14; Phm_1:24; 2Ti_4:10).
The Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature
by John Kitto.
Demas
(Δημᾶς, probably a contraction from Δημήτριος, or perhaps from Δήμαρχος), a companion of the apostle Paul (called by him his fellow- laborer, σύνεργος, in Phm_1:24; see also Col_4:14) during his first imprisonment at Rome. B.C. 57. At a later period (2Ti_4:10), we find him mentioned as having deserted the apostle through love of this present world, and gone to Thessalonica. B.C. 64. This departure has been magnified by tradition into an apostasy from Christianity (so Epiphanius, Haeres. 51:6), which is by no means implied in the passage (Buddei Eccl. Apost. p. 311 sq.).
CYCLOPEDIA OF BIBLICAL, THEOLOGICAL AND ECCLESIASTICAL
press 1895.