1 Thessalonians 1

remembering
“Remembering” is a simpler rendering of μνημονεύω (mnēmoneuō) than something like “bearing in mind.” This also provides a more consistent gloss for μνημονεύω (mnēmoneuō) and its cognates. Paul reports here that he never forgets the Thessalonians’ consistent and steadfast faithfulness to the Lord, which is a great encouragement to him and he repeats it here to encourage them as well.

without ceasing
The word ἀδιαλείπτως (adialeiptōs) here carries the meaning of “incessantly,” “unceasingly,” or “constantly.” It is consistently translated as “without ceasing” in Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians (as well as its only other occurrence in Rom 1:9). This helps the reader to recognize it anywhere it appears as well as to notice connections like Paul’s command that believers “pray without ceasing” (5:17). This is backed up by Paul’s own faithful practice seen here, as he shows that he practices what he preaches.

brothers
Though some versions retain the older English plural, “brethren,” the translation “brothers” here remains perfectly accurate to the Greek text (ἀδελφοὶ; adelphoi) and is more natural to modern readers. This language describes the close familial union which all believers have with one another as children of God.

election
“Election” literally translates the word ἐκλογή (eklogē). The word carries the idea of choice or selection, so the rendering by some translations as “choice” is not inaccurate. However, the translation choice here as “election” provides a slightly more literal rendering and clearly brings out the doctrine of God’s sovereign election of believers to which Paul refers here.

model
While some translations have “example” here, the translation as “model” provides a slightly more literal rendering for the word τύπος (typos). This is not an issue of a poor versus a good translation, but of a good versus a better one. “Model” is a more vivid term than “example.” It more aptly brings out the visual sense of τύπος (typos), which refers to something that can produce an exact copy, like an image on a stamp which is reproduced on whatever is stamped. Paul applauds the Thessalonians here because they became such a model for other believers to imitate.