What is the direct Biblical basis for the Son pre-existing eternally? [duplicate]

Question

One key idea in contemporary Trinitarianism is the idea that the Son is eternal. This is required to have 3 co-equal persons (if the Son is not eternal, He is not equal to the Father).

Some try to show that the Son is eternal indirectly - the most obvious example is showing that the Son is God, and therefore the Son is eternal.

Even passages which might suggest pre-existence (such as John 8:58, "Before Abraham was, I am") don't directly impinge on the idea of eternally existing. There are all sorts of situations where someone existed before something, but aren't eternally pre-existing.

So, what is the direct scriptural evidence for the Son not just pre-existing but pre-existing eternally?

This question

What is the biblical basis for Jesus' eternal pre-existence (as opposed to having been created a long time ago)?

is similar, but too broad. For example (from an answer to the linked question), "The main evidence for the biblical basis of the Nicene interpretation is how the NT authors applied the term θεός" is not what I'm looking for.

Answer 1

The best written evidence to my mind of the eternal nature of Jesus Christ is written right at the beginning of the book of John. The Word is another name for Jesus Christ, who is the Only Begotten Son of the Father.

Quoting from KJV: John 1:1-3

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

To make sure our definition of the Word is also clarified: John 1:14

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

As some additional Biblical evidence, although the Apostle Paul here probably is referencing and expanding on what St. John had already provided, two more scriptures:

Ephesians 3:9

And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

Colossians 1:16

For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

To conclude, if "all things" were created by Jesus, he must necessarily have pre-existed all things, and have been with the Father from the beginning.

Answer 2

For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us; [1 John 1:2 KJV]

και η ζωη εφανερωθη και εωρακαμεν και μαρτυρουμεν και απαγγελλομεν υμιν την ζωην την αιωνιον ητις ην προς τον πατερα και εφανερωθη ημιν [TR - Stephanus, Beza, Elzevir and Scrivener are all identical]

The original reads 'the life the eternal' and this was 'with the Father'.

If this eternal life was 'with the Father' then it must be a matter of Sonship, else the term (in eternity) of 'Father' would be both meaningless and misleading.

Therefore the Son (of the 'Father') is eternal in life.

And this eternal life, of Sonship, was 'manifested'.

It is abundantly clear that the apostle, in this place, speaks of Jesus Christ.