Short answer
– The most-likely author of Philippians 1:29 is the Apostle Paul. Philippians opens “Paul and Timothy…” and both early church tradition and mainstream evangelical scholarship attribute the letter to Paul, written while he was imprisoned and sending pastoral encouragement to the church at Philippi.

Quick background on Paul (evangelical perspective)
– Identity: Paul (formerly Saul of Tarsus), a Jewish Pharisee and Roman citizen who met the risen Christ on the road to Damascus and became the chief missionary-apostle to the Gentiles.
– Credentials: Apostle and eyewitness to the risen Lord (claims this authority in several letters); prolific letter-writer whose epistles shaped early Christian doctrine and practice.
– Life outline: Born in Tarsus; educated under Gamaliel; persecuted the church before conversion; undertook several missionary journeys; experienced imprisonment(s); traditionally believed to have been martyred in Rome under Nero.

Why evangelicals accept Paul as the author of Philippians
– Internal claim: The letter begins “Paul and Timothy…” (Philippians 1:1), indicating Paul as primary sender and Timothy as co-sender or companion.
– Personal details: The letter includes personal references (his imprisonment, references to co-workers like Epaphroditus, and the Philippians’ gift) that fit Paul’s relationship with the Philippian church described in Acts.
– Early attestation: Early Christian writers and the church catalog of received Pauline letters recognized Philippians as Paul’s.
– Style and theology: The letter’s vocabulary, theology (Christology, union with Christ, suffering for the gospel, joy), and pastoral tone are consistent with Paul’s other undisputed letters—hence evangelicals see strong internal consistency with Pauline authorship.
– Dating/location: Evangelical scholarship commonly dates Philippians to about AD 60–62, written from Paul’s imprisonment (commonly identified with Rome), though some allow alternative prisons (Caesarea, Ephesus). The Roman-imprisonment view explains several features of the letter.

How Philippians 1:29 fits Paul’s thought
– The verse (paraphrase): “It has been granted to you not only to believe in Christ but also to suffer for his sake.”
– Theological fit: This reflects central Pauline themes—salvation as a gracious gift, participation in Christ (including participation in his sufferings), and the paradoxical link between suffering and gospel witness. Evangelicals typically read it as assuring believers that suffering for Christ can be a gracious calling and a means of participating in Christ’s purposes.
– Pastoral purpose: Written to encourage the Philippians to stand firm and rejoice even amid opposition—typical of Paul’s pastoral concern to strengthen churches facing persecution or internal strife.

Pastoral emphasis (evangelical application)
– Suffering is not merely misfortune but can be a God-given avenue for faithful witness and spiritual growth.
– Paul models joy amid hardship—evangelicals often point to Philippians as a key text for Christians learning to rejoice and remain faithful under trial.

Recommended evangelical resources for further study
– Gordon D. Fee, The New International Commentary on the New Testament: Philippians (detailed exegesis and theological treatment).
– John Stott, The Message of Philippians (accessible, pastoral commentary).
– F. F. Bruce, The Epistle to the Philippians (solid historical and theological introduction).

If you want, I can:
– Give a short exposition of Philippians 1:29 verse-by-verse,
– Summarize how different evangelical commentators interpret the verse,
– Or provide a brief reading plan for studying Philippians with devotional notes. Which would be most helpful?