Remembering the Life of Dr. George W. Knight III (1931–2021)

The Board, faculty, and staff of Covenant Theological Seminary offer deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Dr. George W. Knight III, who went home to be with the Lord on Monday, October 11, 2021, at the age of 89. Dr. Knight served as Professor of New Testament at Covenant Seminary for 19 years. His long and fruitful ministry as a pastor, educator, and churchman spanned six decades and multiple churches, educational institutions, and denominations. The Seminary community grieves with his family at his passing while at the same time celebrating Dr. Knight’s impact on so many lives and ministries. We rejoice as well that he is now in the presence of the gracious Savior he served for so long.

Born in Sanford, Florida, in 1931, Dr. Knight graduated from Davidson College, Westminster Theological Seminary, and the Free University of Amsterdam. He became an ordained minister in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC) in 1961. Over the course of his ministry he pastored several churches in the OPC; the Reformed Presbyterian Church, Evangelical Synod (RPCES); and the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA); including planting Covenant Presbyterian Church in Naples, Florida. 

From 1970–1989 he served as Professor of New Testament at Covenant Seminary. While in St. Louis, he was on the founding board of Westminster Christian Academy from 1976–1982. Among his other accomplishments he was elected moderator of the 38th General Assembly of the OPC in 1971; served as President of the Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood (1993–1995) and the Evangelical Theological Society (1995). Dr. Knight also served as founding Dean and Professor of New Testament at Knox Theological Seminary in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and later as Professor of New Testament at Greenville Theological Seminary in Greenville, South Carolina. He is the author of numerous articles and books, including The New Testament Teaching on the Role Relationship of Men and Women, The Faithful Sayings of the Pastoral Epistles, and Prophecy in the New Testament, and the influential essay “Two Offices and Two Orders of Elders.”

Dr. Knight is survived by his wife of 69 years, Mrs. Virginia (Sergeant) Knight, their children George W. Knight IV (Mags), Margaret A. Clifford (Ron), Jennie K. Rotherham (Simon), Hugh Knight (Trish), and many grand- and great-grandchildren. His son Vann M. Knight preceded him in death in 2013.

Funeral arrangements for Dr. Knight will be held privately for family members in Lake Wylie, SC.