John Calvin Commentary 2 Timothy 4:5

"But be thou sober in all things, suffer hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil thy ministry." — 2 Timothy 4:5 (ASV)

But watch thou in all things. He continues with the previous exhortation: the more severe the diseases are, the more earnestly Timothy should labor to cure them, and the closer dangers are, the more diligently he should keep watch. And because the ministers of Christ, when they faithfully discharge their office, are immediately called to engage in conflicts, he at the same time reminds Timothy to be firm and immovable in enduring adversity.

Do the work of an Evangelist. That is, “Do what belongs to an evangelist.” Whether by this term he generally refers to any ministers of the gospel, or whether this was a special office, is doubtful; but I am more inclined to the second opinion, because from Ephesians 4:11 it is clearly evident that this was an intermediate class between apostles and pastors, so that the evangelists ranked as assistants next to the apostles. It is also more probable that Timothy, whom Paul had associated with himself as his closest companion in all things, surpassed ordinary pastors in rank and dignity of office, rather than being only one of their number. Besides, to mention an honorable title of office tends not only to encourage him but also to recommend his authority to others; and Paul had both of these objects in view.

Render thy ministry approved. If we read this clause as in the old translation, “Fulfill thy ministry,” the meaning will be: “You cannot fully discharge the office entrusted to you except by doing the things I have instructed. Therefore, ensure that you do not fail in the middle of the course.”

But because πληροφορεῖν commonly means “to render certain” or “to prove,” I prefer the following meaning, which is also most consistent with the context: that Timothy, by watching, by patiently enduring afflictions, and by constant teaching, will succeed in having the truth of his ministry established, because from such marks all will acknowledge him to be a good and faithful minister of Christ.