What is the meaning of fiery hell? Characteristically the tongue "defiles the entire body" (Ja 3:6). It "sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell" (:6) which would be figurative. But is there a literal sense? The rich man in hell exclaimed, "'I am in agony in this flame'" (Lk 16:24). Jesus said, "'It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God'" (Mk 9:47) and "'to enter life than . . . to go into hell, into the unquenchable fire'" (:43). Hell, therefore, is a place and created to contain offenders. "God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell" (2Pe 2:4). Hell is cited by the concordance as the abode of the damned who are incarcerated in eternal torment.