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Commentaries on Genesis 3:9-13 confirm that, St. John Chrysostom, St. Symeon the New Theologian and St. Dorotheus of Gaza all believe that if Adam and Eve had repented during their conversation with God they would have been forgiven and not been exiled from Paradise. Our traditional explanation seems to contradict the opinion of these fathers. I have always heard that God "had" to fulfill his promise of punishment, however to be honest I feel that these fathers give a more accurate portrayal. Ultimately it was Adam and Eve's failure to repent and confess that banished them from Eden. What are Your Grace's thoughts?

Our God is above all time. What was, is, and will be, are always before Him. Humanity was embraced with God's mercy even when expelled along with Adam and Eve from Paradise. Not in a manner of accusation; but in a gentle inquiry, He asked them. Not with feeble fig leaves which they sewed together to cover their shame; He personally covered them before their exile. "Also for Adam and his wife the Lord God made tunics of skin, and clothed them" (Genesis 3:21). His knowledge of humanity's weaknesses existed long before He had offered those promises and consequences. Keeping His promises was the vein by which our awesome God remained connected to His creation. Chastisement was to expedite humanity's recovery from sin and restore our spiritual development.
 
There is really no contradiction, but a complementary association. Many accounts in the Holy Scripture show the errors in choices made by pride and disobedience versus humility and obedience. For this, the great prophet Jonah knew very well, "for I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, One who relents from doing harm" (Jonah 4:2). Adam and Eve beheld God's amazing splendor, and lived without any trouble nor toil, yet chose a stubborn path full of thorns. The thief on the right, who lived most of his life in sin and disarray, proclaimed God's salvation and redemption, merely moments before he tasted death. He was immediately granted the honor to enter paradise with the Savior. "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30). 

Although nobody can really expect or explain what would have happened if Adam and Eve had repented during the conversation with God, yet some fathers wanted to emphasize that repentance is the door to salvation.