[Alamo-Girl]

I recently heard that the normal translation from the Greek of this word apostasy, or falling away in other English translations, in this verse is debatable.. more like taking away instead of falling away? I am not a Greek scholar so I am not sure and I thought I would ask on FR when your post reminded me of it.

Pinging Kolokotronis who I recognize as an expert on the Greek language.

[marbren]

Thank You Alamo-Girl, Dr Thomas Ice is the only one, I can find, who said this may be the case. The key would be what was Paul thinking when he wrote the verse. I tend to think he thought what we all think when we hear the word apostasy. i.e. a falling away not departure.

[Kolokotronis]

It is from the Greek word Αποστατες, which means a "renegade". It implies active choice on the part of the actor and not a passive role. "Apostasy", Αποστασια, does not simply happen nor is it imposed from the outside. It is a free choice made by an "apostate". I hope this helps.