The answer
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
Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty
Notes
1241 Translators’ Note: Perseus Latin Dictionary, online at: https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/resolveform?type=begin&lookup=&lang=la .