Did Jesus pre-exist before creation?

When Jesus had spoken these words, mhe lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, ... "And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed." -- John 17:1,5 (ESV)

Some argue that this mean:

• Jesus already existed as God Himself, or
• Jesus previously existed as the Angel of God, or
• Jesus previously existed in some other reincarnated form, or
• Jesus did not physically exist yet, but God's plan (or Word) about Jesus exited even before time began.

Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, Who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of His own purpose and grace, which He gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began. -- 2 Timothy 1:9 (ESV)

God had a purpose for us and given us grace even before we were created.

Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” -- Jeremiah 1:4-5 (ESV)

Did God created us in or with Jesus?

Paul wrote:

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ — by grace you have been saved — and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in (or with?) Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in (with?) them. -- Ephesians 2:4-10 (ESV)

The word translated as "in" could also mean "on", "at", "by", "with" or even "among" which all completely changes the meaning of this scripture for English readers. According to Strong's Concordance:

Original Word     : ἐν
Part of Speech    : Preposition
Transliteration   : en
Phonetic Spelling : (en)
Definition        : in, on, at, by, with
Usage             : in, on, among.

I do not think anyone belief Paul intended to mean "we are created on Jesus" or that "we should walk on them". But what about the alternative meanings?

The popular choice is "in" meaning "inside" according to the HELPS Word-studies, but that would either turn Jesus into a pregnant woman or God. Obviously latter is more likely the intention as there are many reasons to belief Jesus is God.

But if you continue reading, ask yourself. Which translation make more sense?

Therefore, remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands — remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in (with?) Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in (with?) himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in (with?) one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in (with?) one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in (with?) whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In (with?) him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. -- Ephesians 2:11-22 (ESV)

If you replace "in" with "with", it means both us and Jesus were created by God. Therefore, many translators will refuse to use the "with" word because it would go against the popular belief that Jesus is the uncreated God.

Regardless of what the correct translation is supposed to be, Paul was not giving a lecture on creation. Paul was concern about salvation which requires people to be reborn or as the ESV put it "made alive" from the Greek word which means to "reanimate".

Some suggest that the word "in" does not mean "inside", but rather "in union with":

We are God’s handiwork and were created in union with Christ Jesus for good works... -- Ephesians 2:10 (NWT)

or

God has made us what we are, and in our union with Christ Jesus He has created us for a life of good deeds... -- Ephesians 2:10 (GNT)

or

for He hath made us a-new, and form'd us by Christ Jesus to do good works... -- Ephesians 2:10 (Mace New Testament)