* A fire is said to consume things which means it destroys them by burning them up.
* God is described as a "consuming fire" which is a description of his anger against sin. His anger results in terrible punishment for sinners who do not repent.
* The expression, "God is a consuming fire" could be translated as, "God is like a fire that burns things up" or "God is angry against sin and will destroy sinners like a fire."