Eschatology and the After Life
What is the origin of the term “caught up” in 1 Thess. 4:17 and how did it evolve?
Q1386 · The Two Comings and the Rapture
The term “caught up” or “rapture” derives from a French word that in turn derives from a Latin origin from the Middle Ages meaning the abrupt seizure of a person or possessions. The Latin term here is raptus which means violently seized. In the Koine Greek of 1 Thess. 4:17, the verb ἁρπάζω ( harpazō ) suggests being lifted up with the connotation that this occurs with great speed. The same word also occurs in Acts 8:39, 2 Cor. 12:2–4, and Rev. 12:5 where it is translated as “caught away” or “caught up.” In the Latin Vulgate translation of 1 Thess. 4:17, it is translated as rapiemur a cognate of rapio : to seize and carry off, hurry away.1241