Chillingworth has a dual reason for hating and punishing Dimmesdale: he committed adultery with his wife, Hester, and he has the admiration and love of his community, something that Chillingworth could never have.
Adultery was considered a terrible crime in Puritan society. Even though Hester considered herself unmarried, as she thought her husband had abandoned her, she was still to live as a married woman.
Dimmesdale was his own worst enemy in that he couldn't admit to his congregation that he was guilty of sin. The people simply would not believe him. They admired and respected him for his holy lifestyle and his quality of sermon. They respected, revered and loved him in a way that Chillingworth, even if he were "local," could never attain.
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