Theological glossary · FaithLogic

Pre-existence (of the Son)

The Son existed as a divine person before the incarnation — indeed eternally — and was not brought into being at Bethlehem or at any point.

Latin prae- ('before') + existere; 'existence prior to' the earthly life.

John 1:1–2 ('in the beginning was'); John 8:58; 17:5, 24; Philippians 2:6; Colossians 1:17 ('he is before all things'); Hebrews 1:2–3; 1 Corinthians 8:6; 10:4.

Assumed in the earliest confessions (the Philippians 2 hymn) and by the apologists; the Arian claim that 'there was when he was not' is precisely the denial of eternal pre-existence, rejected at Nicaea ('begotten of the Father before all worlds').

The eternal 'was' of John 1:1 is contrasted with the 'became' of John 1:14: no beginning for the Word, a real beginning for his humanity. Pre-existence is personal (the Son himself), not merely ideal (a plan in God's mind).

'Ideal pre-existence' views (the Son pre-existed only as a plan or purpose) are held by Socinians and some modern theologians; the historic churches affirm personal pre-existence.

Open in the glossary for related terms and the doctrines this concept appears in.