If Someone Says—‘Everyone Has His Own Interpretation of the Bible’
- Edward D. Andrews
- 1 hour ago
- 7 min read
When confronted with the claim that “everyone has his own interpretation of the Bible,” the Christian apologist must respond with clarity, confidence, and unwavering commitment to the truthfulness and sufficiency of Scripture. This statement is often used to dismiss biblical authority, to avoid moral accountability, or to justify contradictory theological positions. Yet the idea itself collapses upon examination, for it misunderstands the nature of divine revelation, ignores the clarity of Scripture, and incorrectly assumes that human subjectivity makes objective truth inaccessible. The Scriptures were not given to produce endless confusion but to reveal Jehovah’s purposes plainly to honest readers who approach His Word with reverence and obedience.
The Nature of Scripture as Jehovah’s Clear Revelation
Scripture is not a human literary experiment but the inspired, inerrant, infallible revelation of Jehovah. Because God is a God of truth, His Word necessarily communicates truth. The historical-grammatical method recognizes that the Bible, as God’s communication to mankind, was written in real human languages, using normal grammar and vocabulary, conveyed through historical contexts, and intended to be understood according to the author’s original meaning. This approach affirms that God guided the human authors so that the final product is His message, perfectly preserved in the words that were originally written.
When someone claims that “everyone has his own interpretation,” they treat Scripture as though it were an undecipherable philosophical riddle or a fluid work of poetry that has no fixed meaning. Yet Jehovah does not give revelation merely for ambiguity but for comprehension. Proverbs 2 emphasizes that wisdom is accessible to those who search for it as for hidden treasure. Jesus repeatedly asked His listeners, “Have you not read?”—underscoring that the Scriptures can indeed be read, understood, and applied. The apostles assumed the same when they urged Christians to grow in accurate knowledge. The inspired writers never treat interpretation as a subjective exercise but as a disciplined pursuit rooted in reverence for God and careful handling of His Word.
The Claim of Interpretive Pluralism and Its Internal Contradictions
The modern claim that all interpretations are equally valid rests on the assumption that the Bible is unclear or that God’s truth cannot be communicated with certainty. This assumption contradicts both Scripture and common sense. If every interpretation were legitimate, then the Bible would affirm mutually exclusive beliefs at the same time, which is impossible. Jehovah cannot both affirm and deny the same proposition. Those who attempt to defend total interpretive relativism do not, in practice, believe it themselves. They do not argue that a passage can simultaneously authorize idolatry and prohibit it, or declare Jesus both raised and not raised, or claim that murder is both righteous and wicked. The moment one rejects an interpretation as wrong, one implicitly denies the claim that all interpretations are equally valid.
Interpretive pluralism also contradicts the nature of language. When a normal person speaks or writes, it is assumed that he or she intends to communicate a specific meaning. The biblical authors likewise intended their words to carry definite meaning. To deny this is to deny their humanity and to treat divine revelation as incoherent. Jehovah does not speak in riddles that require mystical insight. He communicates through the plain sense of language. When someone claims that biblical interpretation is unknowable, the real issue is not the clarity of the text but the condition of the heart. Many reject accurate interpretation not because Scripture is unclear but because accurate interpretation demands obedience.
The Clarity of Scripture and the Responsibility of the Reader
The doctrine of the clarity of Scripture asserts that the essential teachings necessary for salvation and godly living are understandable to any diligent reader who approaches the text with humility and moral integrity. This does not mean that every passage is equally easy, nor does it deny that some parts require deeper study. Yet the fundamental truths of Scripture are presented with unmistakable clarity. The difficulty often arises not from the text but from the reader’s resistance to its demands.
Jesus rebuked the religious leaders because they did not understand Scripture, not because it was unclear but because their hearts were hardened. The apostles commanded believers to be diligent workmen who handle the Word accurately. These commands would be meaningless if Scripture were inherently opaque. Instead, they affirm that proper interpretation is possible when the reader seeks Jehovah’s wisdom, examines the text carefully, and refuses to twist Scripture to justify personal desires.
The Historical-Grammatical Method as the Antidote to Subjectivism
The antidote to interpretive relativism is disciplined, reverent exegesis using the historical-grammatical method. This approach acknowledges that meaning resides in the text as the inspired authors intended it, not in the imagination of the modern reader. It begins with the grammar and vocabulary of Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek; the historical circumstances of the original audience; and the literary structure and argument of each book. Because the Scriptures come from Jehovah, they carry divine authority, but because they were written through human authors, they must be interpreted according to the ordinary functions of human language.
This method yields theological consistency rather than subjective speculation. It rejects allegorizing, mysticism, and the tendency to read modern ideas into ancient texts. When applied consistently, the historical-grammatical method eliminates the myth that “everyone has his own interpretation,” because it grounds meaning not in personal experience but in objective evidence. This is why conservative evangelical scholarship insists that while many interpretations exist, only one interpretation is correct—the one that matches the inspired author’s intention.
The Misuse of Scripture and the Danger of Private Interpretation
Those who misuse Scripture often do so to escape moral responsibility or to justify contradictory teachings. Peter warned that some distort the Scriptures to their own destruction. The problem is not the lack of clarity in God’s Word but the presence of dishonesty in the heart. Private interpretation does not refer to personal reading of Scripture; it refers to imposing one’s own ideas onto the text rather than submitting to what the text actually says. This is not interpretation at all but intellectual rebellion.
When people claim that “everyone has his own interpretation,” they often reveal that they have not studied the text seriously, have relied on tradition or hearsay, or have not accepted the demands that Scripture makes upon their lives. The Word is meant to confront, correct, and transform. Its authority demands submission. Those who avoid this by appealing to interpretive relativism are not seeking truth but escape.
The Role of the Holy Ones in Upholding Sound Doctrine
The early Christian congregations were commanded to adhere to the apostles’ teaching as the standard of truth. Sound doctrine was not left to personal discretion. Paul instructed Timothy to guard the pattern of sound words, to correct those in error, and to refute false teaching. The holy ones are responsible for preserving doctrinal purity, not inventing new interpretations. The Scriptures serve as the final authority, and the community of believers is to align itself with the inspired Word, not reinterpret it according to culture or personal inclination.
This means that correct interpretation is not a creative process but a submissive act. It is grounded in prayerful study, moral integrity, and willingness to obey. When believers approach Scripture with humility, the unity of the faith becomes possible. When they approach it with self-interest, division and confusion arise. Therefore, the claim that all interpretations are equally valid undermines the very unity Christ requires among His followers.
The Objectivity of Biblical Interpretation and the Elimination of Relativism
Interpretation is not guesswork. It is the disciplined process of discovering the author's intended meaning. Jehovah expects His people to understand His Word. This expectation itself proves that interpretation is not subjective. Throughout Scripture, God calls people to remember His commandments, obey His laws, teach their children, and meditate on His Word day and night. Such commands presuppose that the meaning of Scripture is knowable.
Interpretive relativism, by contrast, produces theological chaos. If Scripture can be molded to any viewpoint, then it can be used to justify any behavior. This erases moral boundaries and undermines the authority of God Himself. When someone uses the phrase “everyone has his own interpretation,” it often serves as a strategy to silence Scripture rather than to understand it. The Christian apologist must firmly reject this mindset and restore confidence in the objectivity of divine revelation.
How Christians Should Respond When Confronted With the Claim
The correct response begins by affirming that Scripture has one intended meaning in every passage, not multiple contradictory meanings. The Christian acknowledges that people may disagree, but disagreement does not imply that truth is unknowable. People disagree in mathematics and science as well, yet no one concludes that objective truth does not exist. Instead, Christians must guide others to the disciplined use of the historical-grammatical method, encourage careful reading, and demonstrate how context, grammar, and authorial intent yield a consistent and coherent interpretation.
The follower of Christ also emphasizes the spiritual dimension: Jehovah gives wisdom to the humble, not to the proud. When the heart resists truth, the mind invents excuses, and interpretive relativism becomes a convenient refuge. Yet Jehovah promises understanding to those who seek Him genuinely. The Scriptures illuminate the path of the righteous, but they bring darkness to those who willfully turn away. The issue, therefore, is not the multiplicity of interpretations but the condition of the interpreter.
The Authority of Scripture and the Necessity of Submission
Ultimately, the argument that “everyone has his own interpretation” is often a means of avoiding submission to divine authority. It is not simply an intellectual challenge but a moral and spiritual one. Scripture is not a book designed for endless debate but for obedience. Jehovah calls His people to hear His voice, understand His commandments, and walk in His ways. The clarity and authority of Scripture demand that believers study it carefully and obey it fully.
Christians must therefore proclaim confidently that the Bible is understandable, that its meaning is objective, and that Jehovah has spoken with clarity. Interpretation is not a subjective exercise but a pursuit of the truth that God has revealed. Believers must approach Scripture with humility, diligence, and reverence, trusting that the Author of Scripture is also the One who gives understanding.
About the Author
EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).
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