John Calvin Commentary 2 Timothy 1:11

"whereunto I was appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher." — 2 Timothy 1:11 (ASV)

To which I have been appointed Not without good reason does he commend the gospel so highly along with his apostleship. Satan labors, above all else, to banish the faith of sound doctrine from our hearts by every possible method; and since it is not always easy for him to do this if he attacks us in open war, he steals upon us by secret and indirect methods. For, to destroy the credibility of doctrine, he casts suspicion on the calling of godly teachers.

Paul, therefore, having death before his eyes and knowing well the ancient and ordinary snares of Satan, determined to assert not only the doctrine of the gospel in general but also his own calling. Both were necessary, for although long discourses may be uttered concerning the dignity of the gospel, they will not be of much use to us unless we understand what the gospel is.

Many will agree on the general principle of the gospel’s undoubted authority, who afterwards will have nothing certain that they can follow. This is the reason Paul expressly wishes to be acknowledged as a faithful and lawful minister of that life-giving doctrine which he had mentioned.

A herald, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles For the reasons just stated, he adorns himself with various titles to express one and the same thing. He calls himself a herald, whose duty it is to publish the commands of princes and magistrates. The word apostle is used here in its ordinary and restricted meaning. Moreover, because there is a natural relation between a teacher and his disciples, he also takes this third name to himself, so that those who learn from him may know that they have a master who has been appointed to them by God.

And to whom does he declare that he was appointed? To the Gentiles; for the main point of the controversy concerned them, because the Jews denied that the promises of life belonged to anyone other than the fleshly children of Abraham. Therefore, so that the salvation of the Gentiles may not be called into question, he affirms that he has been especially sent to them by God.