Charles Spurgeon Commentary Acts 18:9-11

"And the Lord said unto Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak and hold not thy peace: for I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to harm thee: for I have much people in this city. And he dwelt [there] a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them." — Acts 18:9-11 (ASV)

Farmers like to plow good soil, where they expect large harvests. So Paul, who was accustomed to making fleeting visits to places, on this occasion settled down for a long time—even for a year and a half. It would pay to do it, for God had many people in that city.