"While Paul awaited execution, his reference to Demas reveals a sad
turn. “Demas has deserted me because he loves the things of this life
and has gone to Thessalonica” (2 Timothy 4:10). 
Paul said Demas deserted him because he loved this present world. He
left Paul and headed to Thessalonica, a large, wealthy, cosmopolitan
city.
James warned that “friendship with the world is hostility toward
God” (James 4:4). The desire to enjoy the pleasures of this world caused him to turn his back on his friend and mentor, and on the Lord.
What was it about “this present world” that Demas loved enough to stop
loving and serving Christ with Paul?
Was it a woman?
Was it a business
opportunity or a promise of riches?
Was it his craving for social
acceptance?
Was it his preference for comfort and ease rather than
suffering, and perhaps dying, with Paul?
Was it an immoral habit?
The
Bible doesn’t tell us what Demas loved about “this present world,” but
only that he chose it over Christ and eternal life.
We can be sure that Demas didn’t just wake up one morning and decide to
dive into the abyss of unbelief. He allowed himself to get too close.
His affections for the world grew stronger over time, and his affection
for Christ weakened gradually. Paul, it seems, had even warned him about
being on a slippery slope toward apostasy. How else would he have known
not only where Demas had gone, but why?
“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits
his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matt.
16:26)."
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