The Bible is extensive and much of it is open to interpretation....

The Bible is extensive and much of it is open to interpretation.
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3gb,While there are often various opinions on what is meant there can be only one correct understanding of Scriptures.
One definition of the word “interpret” is “to conceive in the light of individual belief, judgment, or circumstance.” (Webster’s Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary) Thus, one’s interpretation of anything is usually influenced by one’s background, education, and upbringing.
Are we free to explain Bible passages according to our own “belief, judgment, or circumstance”? Naturally, most Bible scholars and translators claim that they do not do so but that they are guided by God.
A New Version of the Four Gospels, published in 1836 by John Lingard under the pseudonym “A Catholic” says: “Men of every persuasion find the confirmation of their peculiar opinions in the sacred volumes: for, in fact, it is not the Scripture that informs them, but they that affix their own meaning to the language of Scripture.”
By Mr. Lingard’s own criterion, “it is not the Scripture that informs them, but they that affix their own meaning to the language of Scripture.”
Rather than that be the case we should rely on God’s own Word to guide us on this. “You know this first,” said the apostle Peter, “that no prophecy of Scripture springs from any private interpretation. For prophecy was at no time brought by man’s will, but men spoke from God as they were borne along by holy spirit.”—2 Peter 1:20, 21.
Like Joseph of old, we should say: “Do not interpretations belong to God?” (Genesis 40:8)
This being the case if a difficult passage of Scripture is found it should be compared to other Scriptures on the same subject.