The Verdict of the Long-run
Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God. (2 Tim. 1:8).
Be diligent to come to me quickly for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica... (2 Tim. 4:9,10).
The position in which both Timothy and Demas - amongst others - found themselves at the time when Paul wrote this letter was the acid test. Various other forms of testing might leave the metal still undetermined as to its through-and-through genuineness, but when at length subjected to the acid the verdict will be final.
Paul and his position was the acid test. It was not alone the fact that he was Rome's prisoner, and that the world was against, so that his life was to be forfeited for his faith. There were more factors than that. There was the fact that in every city and town the whole Jewish fraternity was against him.
Then, not only was the world and the religious system which had - in a sense - produced Christ and Christianity - against him, but he was suspect amongst many Christians themselves. Even Peter found some things in his letters "hard to be understood".
Paul's position of being outside of the world, outside of the so widely established religious order, and so utterly spiritual and heavenly in object and method, meant well-nigh universal misunderstanding, suspicion, and ostracism.
Association with him left no hope of popularity, wide acceptance, or even generous appreciation.
