Koine and Biblical and Medieval Greek • Re: ἐκ μέσου γένηται

Maybe the reason for the passive translation is, that the evil will probably not volontarely get out of the way, but must be removed (by whom-/whatsover).

Even mr Bill Mounce has questions regarding this text (https://www.billmounce.com/path/should-be-title), but he supports Joel‘s point.

Yes. While I agree with jeidsath that the expression ἐκ μέσου γένηται literally just means ἐκ (from) μέσου (midst) γένηται (become) or "to be out of the way," the broader context allows us to translate with an agency in mind. After all, the expression ἐκ μέσου γένηται does not exist in a vacuum. But the most literal translation of the phrase would be as follows:

Contemporary English Version

His mysterious power is already at work, but someone is holding him back. And the wicked one won't appear until this someone is out of the way.

English Standard Version

For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way.

Berean Literal Bible

For the mystery of lawlessness is working already; there is only the one at present restraining it, until he might be gone out of the midst.

Christian Standard Bible

For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work, but the one now restraining will do so until he is out of the way,

Holman Christian Standard Bible

For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work, but the one now restraining will do so until he is out of the way,

Literal Standard Version

for the secret of lawlessness already works, only the [One] now restraining [will do so] until He may come out of [the] midst,

Young's Literal Translation

for the secret of the lawlessness doth already work, only he who is keeping down now will hinder -- till he may be out of the way,

As Mounce puts it, γένηται is middle. So it could be an active (“steps out of the way,” ) or ambiguous (“is out of the way”). I believe γένηται here to be ambiguous.

Statistics: Posted by Isaac Newton — Mon Dec 04, 2023 9:44 am

---