been able to visit the Thessalonians but referred to Timothy who travelled as Paul’s substitute. Earlier the Thessalonians themselves apparently also travelled (1:8). Even the very letter is part of Paul’s broader program of missionary travels, acting as substitute for Paul’s conquering presence and maintaining the dominance of his voice as expressed in the letter. The apocalyptic nature of Paul’s letters helps to clarify how Paul was using conquering travel. On the one hand, apocalyptic with its