plassō (G4111)

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G4111 plassō (PLAHS-so) — to form or mold, as a potter shapes clay. Paul says Adam was "formed" first, not "given authority." 

Word: πλάσσω; in 1 Timothy 2:13, ἐπλάσθη (eplasthē) · verb · Strong's G4111

In brief

Plassō is a potter's word: to mold or shape something out of material. In 1 Timothy 2:13, Paul writes that Adam was formed first, then Eve. He echoes Genesis 2, where God forms the man from the dust. This verse is often summarized as Paul appealing to "the creation order" to keep women from being pastors. Paul doesn't use the phrase "creation order," doesn't use the word for order, and doesn't mention pastors. He says who was formed first.

Where it appears

  • 1 Timothy 2:13 — "Adam was formed first, then Eve."
  • Romans 9:20 — the potter image: shall the thing formed say to the one who formed it, "Why did you make me like this?"
  • Genesis 2:7 (Greek Old Testament) — God forms the man from the dust of the ground. Paul is quoting the story's own verb.
  • Genesis 2:19 (Greek Old Testament) — God also forms the animals from the ground. The verb describes God shaping a body from material; it says nothing about rank.

Compare: ktizō (G2936), to create

Paul does use the word "create" in 1 Corinthians 11:9: the man was not created for the woman. In the very next sentences, he adds that in the Lord neither is independent of the other, man now comes through woman, and all things come from God (11:11–12). When Paul talks about creation, he ends with mutual dependence.

How translations render it

KJV, ESV, NIV, and NRSV all translate 1 Timothy 2:13 "formed". The translations are accurate here. The added ideas come from teaching about the verse, not from the translation.

See for yourself

  1. Read 1 Timothy 2:11–15. Does Paul use the word "order," "authority," or "pastor" anywhere in the passage?
  2. Read Genesis 2:7 and 2:19. Who else did God form from the ground? Does being formed say anything about authority?
  3. Read 1 Corinthians 11:8–12. What does Paul say right after mentioning creation?

Related words

ktizō (G2936, create) · authenteō (G831) · kephalē (G2776)

Sources