Jehovah's Witnesses affirm that the entire Bible is the inspired, inerrant Word of Jehovah God, free from error in its original-language manuscripts. The Bible is the supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct, and its teachings are the basis for all JW doctrine. A distinction is drawn between the perfect, inerrant original texts and the possibility of minor errors in translations—though the NWT is considered highly accurate.

However, individual interpretation of Scripture is strongly discouraged. Jehovah's Witnesses are taught that private Bible reading apart from the Watch Tower Society's publications leads to spiritual error. The Governing Body is the authorized interpreter of Scripture, providing 'new light' (progressive understanding of biblical truths) through The Watchtower and other publications. Members are expected to accept the Governing Body's interpretations as the faithful and discreet slave's provision of spiritual food, even when those interpretations represent changes from previous teachings.