JWTruth.orgDocumented comparison resource
Search

Doctrine changes · Claim record

In February 2017 The Watchtower stated that 'The Governing Body is neither inspired nor infallible' and 'can err in doctrinal matters or in organizational direction'.

Claim ID claim-doctrine-org-explanation-not-infallibleConcerns February 2017Organisation's explanation
Organisation's explanation · February 2017 Verified

In February 2017 The Watchtower stated that 'The Governing Body is neither inspired nor infallible' and 'can err in doctrinal matters or in organizational direction'. The Watchtower (study edition), February 2017

Show the evidence (1 source)
Primary JW publication Verified

The Watchtower (study edition), “Who Is Leading God's People Today?”

February 2017 · pp.23-28 · par. 12 (p. 26) · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society

“The Governing Body is neither inspired nor infallible. Therefore, it can err in doctrinal matters or in organizational direction.”

Within a discussion of why the Governing Body's direction should nonetheless be followed.

Official source

Provenance and verification note

Confidence note. Opened on wol.jw.org; wording, paragraph and page confirmed.

Corroborated by. src-idx-beliefs-clarified

Notes. 'Beliefs Clarified' cites w17.02 26 under the faithful-and-discreet-slave entry.

Accessed. 19 September 2026 · Source ID. src-w-2017-0200-who-is-leading-not-infallible

Claim page

A direct link to this claim is https://jwtruth.org/evidence/claim-doctrine-org-explanation-not-infallible/. Every source above opens the original document or the best available copy. If you believe the wording, date or context is wrong, report an error.