[Tim Long]

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It's my understanding that hell is an eternal place for all who reject Jesus Christ, that the worm is another punishment in addition to the flames. You might also be interested in the different words. "Gehenna" seems to be comparable to the valley of Hinnom in Israel, in which corpses burned. Tartarus is likely the abode of angels in chains.

[Rurudyne]

"It's my understanding that hell is an eternal place for all who reject Jesus Christ, that the worm is another punishment in addition to the flames."

Your understanding would be right.

I am just contending that the worm is not necessarily (please note the careful use of words) a punishment inflicted on the damned by God, but is rather the punishment that they may have inflicted upon themselves.

This is why, for example, that sexual sins like homosexuality are so very bad: these are sins done in the body (to use Paul's description) and as such are insults to build up mighty worms (if my analysis holds water).

[P.O.E.]

Basically a smoldering garbage pit (q.v. "cast out")