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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
Had not we been first made sons, we could not have called Him Father. If then grace hath made us freemen instead of slaves, men instead of children, heirs and sons instead of aliens, is it not utter absurdity and stupidity to desert this grace, and to turn away backwards?
Athanasius of Alexandria
But this is God's kindness to man, that of whom He is Maker, of them according to grace He afterwards becomes Father also; becomes, that is, when men, His creatures, receive into their hearts, as the Apostle says, 'the Spirit of His Son, crying, Abba, Father.' And these are they who, having received the Word, gained power from Him to become sons of God; for they could not become sons, being by nature creatures, otherwise than by receiving the Spirit of the natural and true Son. …
Four Discourses Against the Arians, Discourse 2, Section 59 ↗
Theophylact of Ohrid
From where is it evident, he says, that we have been deemed worthy of adoption? Although he showed this before as well, when he declared that we have put on Christ, Who is the Son, he also proves it now by the fact that we have received the Spirit, Who, divinely and extraordinarily touching our hearts, teaches us to call God Father. And this could not be so if we had not been deemed worthy of adoption.
Western Saints
Jerome
But because you are sons of God, God has sent the spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, Abba, Father. Clearly the Apostle Paul mentions three spirits, the Spirit of the Son of God, as in this present place, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts (Rom. VIII, 14). And the Spirit of God, as in that place: For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. And the Holy Spirit, as in that place: Your bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you (I Cor. VI, 19). …
Thomas Aquinas
Above, the Apostle revealed the gift bestowed on the Jews; here he shows that this gift pertains also to the Gentiles. First, he mentions the gift; Secondly, the means of obtaining it (v. 6); Thirdly, he discloses the fruit of this gift (v. 7). He says therefore that the gift of adoption of sons pertains not only to those who were under the Law but to the Gentiles as well. …
Bernard of Clairvaux
Felicitous, however, is this kiss of participation that enables us not only to know God but to love the Father, who is never fully known until he is perfectly loved. Are there not surely some among you who at certain times perceive deep within their hearts the Spirit of the Son exclaiming: "Abba, Father"? Let that man who feels that he is moved by the same Spirit as the Son, let him know that he too is loved by the Father. Whoever he be let him be of good heart, let his confidence never waver. …
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