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And he put all things in subjection under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the congregation, (Ephesians 1:22)

And he put all things in subjection under his feet. Cf. 1 Cor. 15:27. God has put all things by guarantee, according to his will and purposes, it has been decreed. All things under his feet means that God has made all things subject to Jesus Christ. Matthew 28:18 tells us, “And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.’” John 17:1-2 says, “Jesus spoke these things, and lifting up his eyes to heaven, he said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son, that the Son may glorify you, just as you have given him authority over all flesh, so that he may give eternal life to all those whom you have given to him.’” Compare 1Jo 4:2, 3; 2Jo 7.

Jesus was actually a ‘son of mankind’ through his human mother, Mary. (Jn 1:14; Ga 4:4; Lu 1:34-36) The apostle Paul for this reason could apply Psalm 8:6 as prophetic of Jesus Christ. “You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet.” Here he does not mention and specific Scripture. The “words” in Psa. 8:6 technically apply “mankind” to show the dominion of man. Paul is making it clear that it is also a reference to the Messiah.

In Paul’s epistle to the Hebrews (2:5-9), he quoted Psalm 8, “‘What is man, that you are mindful of him, or the son of man, that you care for him? You made him for a little while lower than the angels; you have crowned him with glory and honor;[1] you have put all things in subjection under his feet.’ [A quotation from Ps 8:4-6; compare Ps 144:3.] For in subjecting all things to him, he left nothing that is not subject to him. But now we do not yet see all things subjected to him.” Yes, Jesus was made a little lower than the angels becoming a human son of man, dying as such, “so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.” So, Paul told the Philippians brothers, “though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” – Heb 2:8, 9; compare Heb 2:14.

And gave him as head over all things. Jesus has been given rulership over all things in the heavens and on earth.

To the congregation. While Paul focuses his attention here specifically on the Christian congregation for the sake of the Ephesians, it is clear elsewhere that to Jesus, “all authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.” There is no being that does not fall under the power and authority of Jesus Christ. All of the angels with their different ranks, including the archangel, Michael.

So, no man, indeed not the Pope, or group of men is Head of the church. Jesus did not take this honorable position for himself, nor was he elected like some human. It was the Father who gave all things under his control and power. It is very much appropriate that Jesus is the head of the church, being that his life on earth, his teachings, and his ministry were the foundation of the church. Moreover, his ransom sacrifice is the very basis for the church’s existence. No one can be a part of the Christian congregation apart from Jesus Christ. – John 14:6.

[1] The original wording was “crowned him with glory and honor,” supported by the two earliest manuscripts P⁴⁶ B and D² Maj. We have a variant, which reads, “crowned him with glory and honor, and appointed him over the works of your hands,” supported by three early manuscripts (א A C), as well as D* P Ψ 0243 0278 33 1739 it vg (syr) cop arm eth al. This was added by copyists to harmonize it with the OT at Ps 8:7 (LXX), Ps 8:6 (Eng.).